Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is not happy with New York baseball, and he made that crystal clear this week.
The outspoken sports radio icon took aim at both the Yankees and Mets for how they handled their recent matchups with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Instead of throwing their top arms early in the series, both teams held back, and Russo didn’t hold back either.
“Yankees vs. Dodgers, Mets vs. Dodgers is what gives the regular season a little juice,” Russo said. “The Dodgers are the best team. Test yourself. Pitch your best pitchers.”
The move might make sense from a rotation management standpoint, but it didn’t sit well with Russo or many fans. In an era where player health and rest are prioritized, some believe these marquee matchups are being watered down.
“It drives me crazy that teams skip dangerous opponents to give them soft landing spots, and both the Yankees and Mets did this past week against L.A.,” Chris added.
Starters Held Back As Dodgers Roll
Russo’s frustration stems from the rotation decisions made during two of the most anticipated series on the June calendar. The Yankees started Carlos Rodon in the final game of their set against L.A., rather than earlier when the series hung in the balance. Meanwhile, the Mets waited until Game 2 to start Kodai Senga, one of their best arms, after already dropping Game 1.
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While both Rodon and Senga pitched decently in their respective outings, Russo believes the moment was missed. Fans wanted fireworks, aces vs. aces. Instead, they got cautious planning.
Now, the Yankees prepare themselves for another high-profile matchup against the Boston Red Sox, starting on Friday at Yankee Stadium. It will be interesting to see if management will continue to take a cautious approach.
Also Read: One Player The Dodgers Should Cut Ties With Before The Trade Deadline
