“They got embarrassed tonight” FRANCESA on Yankees Game 2 Performance

“They didn’t just get beat tonight. They got embarrassed tonight,” Mike Francesa said after the Yankees’ 5–2 loss to Tampa Bay in ALDS Game 2 on October 5.

New York committed four errors as the Rays took a 2–0 lead in the best-of-five series. Ben Rice’s two solo home runs supplied both Yankees runs. Speaking on The Mike Francesa Podcast, Francesa criticized its defense while acknowledging that Cam Schlittler had not delivered the overpowering performance he expected.

“This Yankee team tonight was credited with four errors and had at least four more misplays,” Francesa said. “They could have had five or six errors.”

He argued that the distinction between a scored error and another failed defensive play mattered less than the additional opportunities given to Tampa Bay.

“I don’t care if they count it as an error or not. Doesn’t make any difference,” he said of a play involving shortstop George Lombard Jr.

“Yeah, they can knock the ball out of the ballpark and they can give you power pitching and they can give you power hitting, but they can’t make the plays that have to be made in the postseason.”

Francesa had entered the game expecting Schlittler to help New York recover from its Game 1 loss. Schlittler allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits in 4⅓ innings, with one walk and two strikeouts.

“I put so much on him and my expectations were very high this evening,” he said. “I disagree with Boone who said he thought he had excellent stuff. I did not think he had swing and miss stuff tonight.”

He credited Schlittler with battling through trouble, but said the defensive mistakes repeatedly forced him to pitch with runners aboard.

“And then when you add in all the extra outs he had to get and all the pitches he had to make early in the game under stress, it clearly took a lot out of him.”

Francesa qualified his criticism of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s positioning in the fifth inning. According to Francesa, Aaron Boone said Chisholm had been stationed where the Yankees wanted him.

“So, you gotta give Jazz a pass there,” Francesa said.

He contrasted New York’s play with Tampa Bay’s fundamentals.

“Tampa has done everything right. They’ve pitched brilliantly. They don’t give away free passes. They catch everything. They run. They put pressure on the defense.”

Francesa also praised the Rays’ approach against Schlittler.

“Their game plan tonight was hit the ball the other way, put the ball in play early in the count. They did that brilliantly this evening.”

Game 3 is scheduled for October 7 at Yankee Stadium, with Max Fried and Nick Martinez listed to start. Francesa said New York could still bring the series back to Tampa Bay for Game 5, but urged it to concentrate on the next game.

“Don’t look ahead, don’t look at winning three games. Try winning one inning, then try winning the next inning, and then try to win a game.”

He also cautioned against expecting the Rays to be intimidated by the venue.

“This team’s not afraid of the Yankees. This team’s not afraid of Yankee Stadium. This team is a very well put together team that does everything right.”