If the Yankees are going to get back on track, they will need their veteran bats to step up and play way better than they have been since Aaron Judge has been on the IL.
Keith called out the main culprits during Tuesday’s show, including two that he doesn’t think are going to climb out of their funk in DJ LeMahieu and Josh Donaldson.
“I told you coming into the season, if DJ ain’t right, there’s a problem,” Keith said. “A lot of people asked me, ‘What’s the one player?’ I said, ‘It’s DJ.’ They need DJ to return to automatic, runners in scoring position, La Machina. The Machine. He ain’t The Machine now. He’s a washing machine. He’s washed. He’s striking out a ton. It’s concerning. He can’t play every day.
“Don’t get me started on Washed Donaldson. And it’s not on Donaldson. It’s on Cashman for bringing him here and making that trade.”
As for the bats that Keith still believes can contribute to the lineup in a big way, Anthony Rizzo needs to start hitting again after struggling badly since being sidelined with a neck injury last month.
“I can’t keep going back to Memorial Day weekend and the Padres series and say, ‘He’s not right,’” Keith said. “How many nights has he slept? How much treatment has he got? It’s been three weeks. He’s a big dude…they didn’t diagnose him with a broken neck. He’s gotta play better.”
Giancarlo Stanton is another big bat that hasn’t produced much of anything since coming back from the IL, and Keith needs to see more than just a periodic home run.
“What can he say? He’s been pitiful!” Keith said. “He’s good for a home run every week, but he’s not gonna carry the offense like so many Yankee fans expect.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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