The Yankees are on the brink of elimination after Monday’s loss in game three, and Sal Licata says the Bombers are simply getting a rough reminder that the Dodgers, and the league they represent, are simply better.
“The National League is far superior to the American League,” Sal said. “All due respect to the Royals and Guardians…the Yankees had a cakewalk.”
The Yankees went 7-2 in the playoffs en route to their first pennant in 15 years, taking care of Kansas City and Cleveland relatively easily. In the Fall Classic, it has been anything but easy, as the Dodgers stars have showed up and ran away with games two and three after shocking the Yanks in game one to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
“They’re not getting away with things that they did against a lesser caliber opponent,” Sal said.
“You’re seeing the other team that’s better do those little things that are proving to be a big difference in this World Series.”
Sal doesn’t see the Yankees doing those little things, as game one saw multiple defensive miscues lead to a crushing loss, while the Dodgers made several clutch defensive plays in game three to seal that win. Whether it’s Giancarlo Stanton being thrown out at the plate in game three or Gleyber Torres mishandling a throw from the outfield in game one, Sal says the Yankees don’t have enough “ballplayers” that will do the little things to get wins in October.
“It comes down to the construction of this team,” Sal said. “It’s the same thing with the Brian Cashman teams…there’s something off, where they don’t play a good brand of baseball, and eventually, it’s gonna catch up to you.”