With Friday’s loss in Game 1 of the World Series still fresh in their minds, the Yankees must now do their best to forget the game that got away from them in the 10th inning and shift gears for Game 2.
But despite the tough loss, the third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. remains confident his team will achieve a series victory due to the adversity they have faced this year.
“I think we’ve done it all year,” he said. “I feel like nothing has changed between us in our clubhouse. We still feel like we have this in the bag. (It’s) not arrogant, but we have confidence in ourselves to go out there and win four games.”
That’s the mindset required during the Fall Classic, especially after a breathtaking defeat like the one New York suffered on Friday thanks to Freddie FreemanIt’s the starting grand slam Nestor Cortes – the first of its kind in World Series history.
Before that, the first game had a little bit of everything: good pitching, one-on-one baserunning, good defense, bad defense, and a lot of drama.
“We are enjoying the moment as much as they are,” Chisholm said. “After that loss, I didn’t feel like the clubhouse was quiet. We were talking among ourselves and saying, ‘Hey, that was a fun baseball game. Let’s do it again tomorrow, but let’s be victorious tomorrow.’ So it’s incredible.”
Chisholm had a big hand in New York entering the bottom of the 10th with a 3-2 lead – three outs from the Game 1 steal in Los Angeles – going 2 for 5 with a run scored and two steals. His two stolen bases came in the top of the 10th inning where he made and scored the go-ahead Anthony VolpéIt’s over.
The 26-year-old, who finished the season with 40 steals, had 18 stolen bases in just 46 games with the Yanks and brings them a spark on the scoring path.
“I feel like I’m in scoring position whenever I’m at first base,” the third baseman said. “…Just being able to continue to read the ball and read the play and keep everyone up and make sure everyone is awake.”
Chisholm, acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline to become New York’s third baseman, is back at third base Saturday and ranks fifth as a manager. Aaron Boone goes with the exact same programming as game 1.
Boone, Chisholm and the rest of the Yankees are hoping Game 2 ends a little differently.
