Marty’s musings: the Yankees are perfecting the triple play in 2021

deGrom’s MRIs, the Dbacks losses, and more Yankees triple plays. What a wild week.

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting key pitching matchups.

The Dbacks continue to spiral, the Yankees turn their third triple play of the year, and Jacob deGrom dominates, but continues to struggle with health.

News & Notes

3 - Triple plays turned by the Yankees this year, including two last week. New York turned a game-ending, rally-killing triple play in the ninth inning on Sunday. Earlier in the series against Toronto they turned this wacky triple play, which was as much about bad Toronto baserunning as solid Yankee defense.

23 - Consecutive road games lost by the Diamondbacks, who set the MLB record for most away games lost in a row. The Dbacks are a terrible 20-53 on the season.

48 - Year old Bartolo Colon is still playing professional baseball. He threw a complete game in the Mexican League last week and has a 3.56 ERA in five starts.

4 - Runs given up by Jacob deGrom, and the number of MRIs he’s needed so far this season. Although he’s been dominating when healthy, he’s suffered from various injuries all season.

6 - Home runs in his last six games for Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani announced he’ll participate in MLB’s All Star weekend Home Run Derby. He’ll be the first-ever pitcher, and the first ever Japanese born player to participate in the event.

Injury Report

Shane Biber is out with a shoulder strain.

Alex Bregman is on the IL with a quad strain.

Tyler Glasnow will avoid surgery but is dealing with an elbow tear.

Max Scherzer is on the IL with a groin strain, he’s schedule to make his first start in ten days on Tuesday.

Pitching Matchups to Watch

Monday, June 21

Ian Anderson (ATL) v. Jacob deGrom (NYM), 5:10 ET

deGrom takes the mound in the first game of a seven inning double-hitter. When he’s pitching it’s magical. Hopefully he can stay healthy and flex a bit against the Braves, who are trying to find their footing in the NL East, as they’re three games under .500 and five games behind New York.

Tuesday, June 22

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) v. Blake Snell (SD), 10:10 ET

The Dodgers / Padres series have been excellent so far this year. Kershaw and Snell take the middle game of a three-game set. Meanwhile, both teams are looking up at the standings at the first place Giants.

Thursday, June 24

Zach Davies (CHC) v. Walker Buehler (LAD), 10:10 ET

Another good West Coast matchup pits the first place Cubs against perennial juggernaut Dodgers.

Friday, June 25

Sean Manaea (OAK) v. Johnny Cueto (SF), 9:45 ET

For the first time in a long time the battle-of-the-bay pits two first place teams against each other. The A’s and Astros are in a virtual tie for first place, the Giants are 1 ½ games ahead of the Dodgers in a tight NL West.

Sunday, June 27

Gerrit Cole (NYY) v. Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS), 1:10 ET

The Red Sox swept the Yankees in the Bronx a couple weekends ago. They remain in first place, with New York 4 ½ games back in the AL East. This is the last game of a three-game set in Boston.