I Wouldn't Mind It If...

I wouldn't mind the Yankees being 8-7 if they hadn't started the season 7-1. But they've lost 5 straight, by a combined 7 runs, and fallen into a tie for 1st place in the American League Eastern Division.

Last Tuesday, they started a home series with the Sacramento Athletics. Cam Schlittler started, and had the worst start of his career, allowing 3 runs over 5 innings. Fortunately, Amed Rosario hit 2 home runs, including a 3-run shot in the 8th, and the Yankees won, 5-3. Fernando Cruz was the winning pitcher.

Since then, though, the Yankees' hits and runs have been few and far between. Will Warren started against former Yankee Luis Severino on Wednesday night, and neither of them got past the 5th inning. The Yankees got 2 runs in the 1st, and that was it: The rest of the way, the got just 1 hit and 5 walks. The A's tied the game in the 4th, and in the 9th, David Bednar allowed a single, a double, and a sacrifice fly, and the Yankees lost 3-2.

The Thursday afternoon game was even more frustrating. Ryan Weathers, who has thus far been little more than a plug in a hole in the rotation, pitched his best game as a Yankee, going 8 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits and no walks, striking out 7. But A's starter Jeffrey Springs didn't allow a hit until Ben Rice singled in the 7th. The Yankees lost, 1-0.

Online, Met fans were joking about the Yankees losing 2 out of 3 at home to the "homeless" A's, who left Oakland and are playing the 2nd of what they hope will be 3 seasons in Sacramento, in the hope that their dome in Las Vegas will be ready in 2028. Then the A's went across town to Citi Field, and swept the Mets in 3 straight: 4-0, 11-6 and 1-0.

Not so easy, is it, you Flushing morons?

*

Then the Yankees went down to play the Tampa Bay Rays, at the restored dome of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, after a year of repairs while they played at the Yankees' Spring Training home in Tampa, Steinbrenner Field.

Luis Gil came off the Injured List to make his 1st start of the season. He wasn't ready, going 4 innings, and allowing 3 runs on 3 hits. Rice hit a home run, but the Yankees only got 4 other hits, and lost, 5-3.

Max Fried started on Saturday night. He went 8 innings, so it should have been enough to save the bullpen. Except the Yankees struggled again, with Austin Wells hitting a home run, but getting only 3 other hits in the 1st 7 innings.

The game went to extra innings. José Caballero singled home "ghost runner" Randal Grichuk in the top of the 10th. In the bottom of the 10th, Bednar blew it again, allowing single, single, intentional walk, getting a strikeout, and a fielder's choice allowed the winning run: Rays 5, Yankees 4.

Schlittler started again on Sunday, allowing 3 runs on 5 innings. But the Yankees got only 1 hit in the 1st 6 innings. Aaron Judge hit a home run in the 9th, but it wasn't enough: Again, Rays 5, Yankees 4.

*

As of this writing, the Yankees, the Rays, and the Baltimore Orioles are all tied atop the AL East at 8-7. The Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays are both 6-9, 2 games back. The Yankees' great start has been wiped out.

On the other hand, there have been times since Title 27 in 2009 when an 8-7 start would have been considered a big improvement. So I can't complain that much. But the Yankees currently have a team batting average of .202, an on-base percentage of .308, a slugging percentage of .345, and an average of 4.3 runs scored per game. That's not only unacceptable, it's ridiculous. Aristophanes-level ridiculous. So I can complain.

Tonight, they are back home, to start a 4-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, followed by 3 at home against the Kansas City Royals. Then it's off to Boston to face The Scum.

Major League Sports Team Rankings (If You Don't Count Moves)

"We were Number 6. Then we moved.

Now, we're Number 123."

Note: This includes Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League. If a team currently in one of those leagues won a title in a previous league, that gets counted as a trip to the Finals, but not as a World Championship. It does not include the Women's National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, or the National Women's Soccer League.

It only counts teams in their current metropolitan areas. In other words, the Los Angeles Dodgers just won their 8th World Championship, not their 9th -- or, if you count 1890, 1899 and 1900, as you could if you counted teams in all their cities, their 12th.

Ties broken by titles won in another league (if any), then by most Finals appearances, then by Semifinals appearances, then by most recent World Championship.

1. New York Yankees, 27 World Series

2. Montreal Canadiens, 24 Stanley Cups

3. Boston Celtics, 18 NBA Championships

4. St. Louis Cardinals, 13 MLB Championships including 11 World Series, 23 Finals

5. Toronto Maple Leafs, 13 Stanley Cups, 21 Finals

6. Green Bay Packers, 13 NFL Championships including 4 Super Bowls, 16 Finals

7. Los Angeles Lakers, 12 NBA Championships

8. Detroit Red Wings, 11 Stanley Cups

9. Boston Red Sox, 10 World Series

10. Chicago Bears, 9 NFL Championships including 1 Super Bowl

11. New York Giants, 8 NFL Championships including 4 Super Bowls, 20 Finals

12. Los Angeles Dodgers, 8 World Series, 14 Finals

13. Chicago Cubs, 7 MLB Championships including 3 World Series, 17 Finals

14. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7 MLB Championships including 5 World Series, 9 Finals

15. Boston Bruins, 6 Stanley Cups, 20 Finals

16. Chicago Blackhawks, 6 Stanley Cups, 12 Finals

17. New England Patriots, 6 Super Bowls, 11 Finals

18. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6 Super Bowls, 8 Finals

19. Chicago Bulls, 6 NBA Championships, 6 Finals

20. Cincinnati Reds, 5 World Series, 10 Finals, 13 Semifinals

21. Washington Commanders, 5 NFL Championships including 3 Super Bowls, 10 Finals, 12 Semifinals

22. Philadelphia Eagles, 5 NFL Championships including 2 Super Bowls, 9 Finals

23. Edmonton Oilers, 5 Stanley Cups, 9 Finals, 13 Semifinals

24. Golden State Warriors, 5 NBA Championships, 9 Finals, 12 Semifinals

25. Dallas Cowboys, 5 Super Bowls, 8 Finals

26. San Francisco 49ers, 5 Super Bowls, 7 Finals

27. San Antonio Spurs, 5 NBA Championships, 6 Finals, 14 Semifinals

28. Pittsburgh Penguins, 5 Stanley Cups, 6 Finals, 10 Semifinals

29. Cleveland Browns, 4 NFL Championships, none of them Super Bowls, 12 Finals

30. New York Rangers, 4 Stanley Cups, 11 Finals

31. Detroit Tigers, 4 World Series, 7 Finals

32. Kansas City Chiefs, 4 Super Bowls, 6 Finals

33. New York Islanders, 4 Stanley Cups, 5 Finals, 7 Semifinals

34. Detroit Lions, 4 NFL Championships, none of them Super Bowls, 5 Finals, 7 Semifinals

35. Denver Broncos, 3 Super Bowls, 8 Finals

36. Baltimore Orioles, 3 World Series, 6 Finals, 11 Semifinals

37. San Francisco Giants, 3 World Series, 6 Finals, 8 Semifinals

38. Miami Heat, 3 NBA Championships, 6 Finals, 8 Semifinals

39. Detroit Pistons, 3 NBA Championships, 5 Finals, 13 Semifinals

40. Chicago White Sox, 3 World Series, 5 Finals, 7 Semifinals

41. New Jersey Devils, 3 Stanley Cups, 5 Finals, 7 Semifinals

42. Tampa Bay Lightning, 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Finals

43. Colorado Avalanche, 3 Stanley Cups, 3 Finals

44. Philadelphia Flyers, 2 Stanley Cups, 8 Finals

45. Los Angeles Rams, 2 NFL Championships including 1 Super Bowl, 7 Finals, 14 Semifinals

46. Philadelphia Phillies, 2 World Series, 7 Finals, 12 Semifinals

47. New York Knicks, 2 NBA Championships, 6 Finals, 15 Semifinals

48. Atlanta Braves, 2 World Series, 6 Finals, 13 Semifinals

49. Philadelphia 76ers, 2 NBA Championships, 6 Finals, 12 Semifinals

50. Cleveland Guardians, 2 World Series, 6 Finals, 9 Semifinals

51. Houston Astros, 2 World Series, 5 Finals, 11 Semifinals

52. New York Mets, 2 World Series, 5 Finals, 9 Semifinals

53. Miami Dolphins, 2 Super Bowls, 5 Finals, 7 Semifinals

54. Kansas City Royals, 2 World Series, 4 Finals, 8 Semifinals

55. Houston Rockets, 2 NBA Championships, 4 Finals, 8 Semifinals

56. Milwaukee Bucks, 2 NBA Championships, 3 Finals, 9 Semifinals

57. Toronto Blue Jays, 2 World Series, 3 Finals, 8 Semifinals

58. Minnesota Twins, 2 World Series, 3 Finals, 6 Semifinals

59. Los Angeles Kings, 2 Stanley Cups, 3 Finals, 5 Semifinals

60. Baltimore Ravens, 2 Super Bowls, 2 Finals, 5 Semifinals

61. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2 Super Bowls, 2 Finals, 4 Semifinals

62. Florida Panthers, 2 Stanley Cups, 3 Finals, 3 Semifinals

63. Miami Marlins, 2 World Series, 2 Finals, 2 Semifinals

64. St. Louis Blues, 1 Stanley Cup, 4 Finals, 8 Semifinals

65. Cleveland Cavaliers, 1 NBA Championship, 4 Finals, 4 Semifinals

66. Dallas Stars, 1 Stanley Cup, 3 Finals, 8 Semifinals

67. Portland Trail Blazers, 1 NBA Championship, 3 Finals, 7 Semifinals

68. Seattle Seahawks, 1 Super Bowl, 3 Finals, 4 Semifinals

69. Calgary Flames, 1 Stanley Cup, 3 Finals, 4 Semifinals

70. Washington Wizards, 1 NBA Championship, 3 Finals, 3 Semifinals

71. Texas Rangers, 1 World Series, 3 Finals, 3 Semifinals

72. Carolina Hurricanes, 1 Stanley Cup, 2 Finals, 6 Semifinals

73. Oklahoma City Thunder, 1 NBA Championship, 2 Finals, 5 Semifinals

74. Dallas Mavericks, 1 Super Bowl, 2 Finals, 5 Semifinals

75. Anaheim Ducks, 1 Stanley Cup, 2 Finals, 5 Semifinals

76. Indianapolis Colts, 1 Super Bowl, 2 Finals, 5 Semifinals

77. Vegas Golden Knights, 1 Stanley Cup, 2 Finals, 4 Semifinals

78. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1 World Series, 2 Finals, 3 Semifinals

79. Washington Capitals, 1 Stanley Cup, 2 Finals, 2 Semifinals

80. Denver Nuggets, 1 NBA Championship, 1 Final, 6 Semifinals

81. Los Angeles Angels, 1 World Series, 1 Final, 6 Semifinals

82. New York Jets, 1 Super Bowl, 1 Final, 6 Semifinals

83. New Orleans Saints, 1 Super Bowl, 1 Final, 3 Semifinals

84. Washington Nationals, 1 World Series, 1 Final, 1 Semifinal

85. Toronto Raptors, 1 NBA Championship, 1 Final, 1 Semifinal

86. Buffalo Bills, 6 Finals including 2 AFL Championships

87. Indiana Pacers, 5 Finals including 3 ABA Championships

88. Brooklyn Nets, 4 Finals including 2 ABA Championships

89. Minnesota Vikings, 4 Finals

90. Winnipeg Jets, 3 Finals including 3 WHA Championships

91. Phoenix Suns, 3 Finals, 10 Semifinals

92. Cincinnati Bengals, 3 Finals, 4 Semifinals

93. Vancouver Canucks, 3 Finals, 3 Semifinals

94. Utah Jazz, 2 Finals, 6 Semifinals, 17 Quarterfinals

95. Buffalo Sabres, 2 Finals, 6 Semifinals, 15 Quarterfinals

96. Carolina Panthers, 2 Finals, 4 Semifinals, 7 Quarterfinals

97. Atlanta Falcons, 2 Finals, 4 Semifinals, 6 Quarterfinals

98. Orlando Magic, 2 Finals, 4 Semifinals, 5 Quarterfinals

99. San Diego Padres, 2 Finals, 3 Semifinals

100. Tampa Bay Rays, 2 Finals, 2 Semifinals

101. San Jose Sharks, 1 Final, 4 Semifinals

102. Milwaukee Brewers, 1 Final, 3 Semifinals, 8 Quarterfinals, 11 Playoff Berths

103. Tennessee Titans, 1 Final, 3 Semifinals, 8 Quarterfinals, 10 Playoff Berths

104. Ottawa Senators, 1 Final, 3 Semifinals, 7 Quarterfinals

105. Arizona Cardinals, 1 Final, 2 Semifinals

106. Nashville Predators, 1 Final, 1 Semifinal, 5 Quarterfinals

107. Colorado Rockies, 1 Final, 1 Semifinal, 4 Quarterfinals

108. Atlanta Hawks, 4 Semifinals, 20 Quarterfinals

109. Seattle Mariners, 4 Semifinals, 6 Quarterfinals

110. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3 Semifinals, 6 Quarterfinals

111. Minnesota Timberwolves, 3 Semifinals, 3 Quarterfinals

112. Los Angeles Clippers, 1 Semifinal, 6 Quarterfinals

113. Memphis Grizzlies, 1 Semifinal, 4 Quarterfinals, 14 Playoff berths

114. Sacramento Kings, 1 Semifinal, 4 Quarterfinals, 11 Playoff berths

115. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 Semifinal, 2 Quarterfinals

116. Houston Texans, 6 Quarterfinals

117. Charlotte Hornets, 3 Quarterfinals

118. New Orleans Pelicans, 2 Quarterfinals

119. Minnesota Wild, 1 Quarterfinal, 14 rounds of 16

120. Columbus Blue Jackets, 1 Quarterfinal, 6 rounds of 16

121. Seattle Kraken, 1 Quarterfinal, 1 round of 16

122. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 Playoff berth

123. Sacramento Athletics, no Playoff berths in 1 season

124. Utah Mammoth, no Playoff berths in 1 season

Not Quite the Sack of Sacramento

The pink gloves are for Mother's Day,

to raise money for breast cancer research.

With the formerly Philadelphia, Kansas City and Oakland Athletics waiting for their Las Vegas stadium to open, the Yankees made their 1st visit to the A's stopgap home, Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California.

In 3 games, the Yankees scored 29 runs. That should have meant a sweep. It wasn't.

On Friday night, Will Warren pitched his best game as a Yankee so far: 7 1/3rd innings, 1 run, 4 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts. He did his job. The hitters did theirs, especially Jasson Domínguez, who became the youngest Yankee ever to hit 3 home runs in a game. He had 7 RBIs on the night. Paul Goldschmidt also hit a home run, and the Yankees won, 10-2.

Carlos Rodón did his part on Saturday afternoon, going, 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, but no walks, striking out 10. Aaron Judge hit 2 home runs, and Oswald Peraza hit one. The Yankees led 6-4 going into the 7th inning stretch. That should have been enough.

It wasn't. Fernando Cruz had nothing, allowing 3 runs in the 7th. Between them, Ian Hamilton and Tyler Matzek allowed 4 in the 8th. The A's won, 11-7.

With Sunday being another "hole in the rotation" day, the Yankees needed Ryan Yarbrough to fill that hole. He did, going 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk. Judge went 4-for-5 with 2 RBIs. We're almost one-quarter of the way through the season, and he's batting .409. Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs. And Ben Rice hit a grand slam. This time, the bullpen held the A's off, and the Yankees won, 12-2.

It wasn't quite a Sack of Sacramento, but 2 out of 3 on the road is always worth taking.

*

The Yankees are 23-17, on a pace for a record of 93-69. They lead the American League Eastern Division by 2 games over the Boston Red Sox, 3 over the Toronto Blue Jays, 5 over the Tampa Bay Rans, and 7 1/2 over the Baltimore Orioles.

It's way too soon to list the Magic Number to clinch the Division.

Tonight, the Yankees continue their Pacific Coast roadtrip, against the Seattle Mariners.