Former Yankees outfielder and color commentator Paul O'Neill joined John Jastremski and Jody MacDonald on Thursday morning to chat about the state of the Yankees ahead of a highly-anticipated series against the Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees enter Thursday's meeting trailing Boston by five-and-half games in the American League East standings. How they fare in the four-game series at Fenway Park could sway the AL East race.
"I think the Yankees have made themselves much stronger," O'Neill said. "I think that you can come in here and get beat up. I think if you lose ground, then it's going to be extremely difficult."
O'Neill was asked by Jastremski if Giancarlo Stanton needs to step up. Stanton is batting .277 with 24 home runs and 64 RBI through 105 games.
"I don't think that they're going to let Stanton kill them," O'Neill responded. "I think you go through scouting reports. Without (Aaron) Judge in the lineup, you say with Stanton -- if you make your pitches okay, you get an opportunity to pitch around him, you will. Aaron Hicks to me is a guy from both sides of the plate -- the series before -- he's 7-for-10, this last series against Baltimore -- he kinda wasn't himself. He's an important part of this lineup. (Gleyber) Torres obviously homered yesterday. Didi (Gregorius) is swinging the bat a lot. They have plenty of offense.
"I think Stanton in certain situations can be a game-changer, no doubt. But I don't think the Boston Red Sox are going to let Stanton beat them. They're going to make other guys swing the bat."
Keidel: Now's The Time For Yankees To Pounce On Red Sox
After CC Sabathia takes the mound in Game 1 on Thursday, Luis Severino will pitch Game 2 on Friday. Severino is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA after the All-Star break.
"He hasn't been good, he's been great," O'Neill said. "It always has been that your starts against the Boston Red Sox count double. A big start for him no doubt about it in this series. If he pitches well, everything is forgotten and you've got your ace back."
O'Neill has been impressed by Severino's strong 2018 campaign. Through 22 games, Severino is 14-4 with a 2.94 ERA.
"Severino, numbers-wise has had a phenomenal year," he said.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES (From WEEI In Boston)
Brian Johnson Is No Chris Sale, But He Has Quietly Answered Call In Other Spot Starts
Tomase: Chris Sale Insists He'll Be Fine, But Here's Why We Should Be Skeptical