The Yankees head into the weekend with a 0.5 game lead over the Orioles after dropping two straight to Baltimore, and Boomer says the latest series loss to their AL East rivals should serve as a “wake-up call spot.”
“Boston and Baltimore just slapped around the Yankees in these last two series,” Boomer said. “This is a little bit of a wake-up call. Right around game 80, right around halfway through the season here.
“They are not intimidated in the least by the Yankees and their lineup or their pitching staff.”
Boomer called the Red Sox series a potential “blueprint spot,” as Boston exposed Jose Trevino’s weak arm and swiped nine bags in Sunday’s series finale. But the Orioles simply slugged their way to victory this week, and Boomer says it should make it clear to the Yanks that an aggressive trade deadline is necessary to gain the edge when the games really ramp up down the stretch of the season.
“I cannot wait until late September/early October…these games between the Yankees and Orioles now take on a whole different meaning,” Boomer said. “And if I’m the Baltimore manager or any Orioles player, I’m thinking ‘Man, we got them. We’re just as good if not better.’”