Yankees’ Austin Wells drawing rave reviews for work behind plate: ‘Just gets better’
NY Post
OAKLAND, Calif. — Austin Wells’ bat had cooled off some through the first three weeks of September.
His work behind the plate had not.
The Yankees rookie catcher drew rave reviews for his work with Gerrit Cole in Friday’s 4-2, 10-inning win over the A’s, having a hand in helping the ace cruise through a nine-inning, two-hit gem at the Coliseum.
“He’s been great for us,” Cole said. “He came in with a good foundation already, and he just gets better and better the more he plays.”
Cole is one of the game’s best at reading hitters’ swings and adjusting his plan of attack from there. Veteran catcher Jose Trevino is also adept at the skill, which is part of why that battery has had so much success together.
But Wells has come into his own in that regard, an important development with his bat being so important to the Yankees lineup as their regular cleanup hitter.
The Rangers’ trade-deadline picture continues to come into focus.
Deebo Samuel is a man of few words on his way out of San Francisco.
MLB’s controversial all-time hits king could have a shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
MIAMI — Mitchell Robinson said his minutes limit was “supposed to be about 18” after his encouraging season debut Friday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — So many of the questions directed his way at the NFL Scouting Combine prompted an almost bewildered — and amused and delighted — response from Howard Cross III.
DETROIT — Cade Cunningham broke out of a slump by scoring nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and the Detroit Pistons pulled away to beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-94 on Saturday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Warren wears No. 44 because of an old Jet.
Of course this is not 2018, this deadline does not represent a sea change in philosophy resembling that one. But, just as seven years ago, the hierarchy — different general managers, same CEO — is not homing in at making a run at eighth place at the expense of acquiring future assets in exchange for expiring contracts.
TAMPA — It was all but certain even before Giancarlo Stanton left camp last Monday to tend to a personal matter, but now it is official: The Yankees DH will begin the season on the injured list.
Chris Kreider missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury Friday, when the Rangers lost to the Maple Leafs 3-2 in their fourth game back from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
MEMPHIS — Mitchell Robinson’s long-awaited return was about as promising as the Knicks could’ve envisioned.
The time to string wins together is now, but the Rangers haven’t been able to do that since mid-November.
