IT WAS, LIKE, A MISTAKE
Aroldis Chapman didn’t mean to like what he liked. That was the story from the Yankees after the Bombers’ closer liked a comment on Instagram following the team’s stunning Game 2 ALDS loss that called for the team to move on from Joe Girardi when the manager’s contract expires at season’s end.
According to a team official, it occurred during the Yankees’ flight from Cleveland back to New York when Chapman was scrolling through his social media feed. He accidentally “liked” the Instagram post, the official said, and didn’t even realize it.
Chapman ultimately spoke to Girardi after a Yankees public relations staffer noticed what had occurred, and unliked the post. Chapman explained it was an accident albeit terrible timing, and let Girardi know he’s devoted to his manager and the team.
“Let’s hope Joe’s contract is not renewed after the season,” the comment Chapman liked, written by user @millsjr33, reads. “He’s an imbecile.”
Chapman was unavailable for comment as the team was not working out on Saturday.
He pitched a pair of clean innings in the ninth and 10th in Game 2, though it could be argued he should’ve been in to start the eighth, when David Roberston served up the game-tying homer to Jay Bruce.
Chapman has been terrific since September.
Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius are a combined 0-for-16 with eight strikeouts, four walks and two runs scored over the first two games of the ALDS. Judge was robbed of a potential go-ahead RBI single by Indians third baseman Erik Gonzalez in the ninth inning of Game 2.
“No, I don’t necessary think so,” Girardi replied when asked if both were pressing. “It’s two games. I think that’s the key point here. I mean, if you look at the games they had against Minnesota, it was tremendous, and that was an elimination game. There was as much pressure in that game as the first two of these obviously, so I don’t think so.”
EDWIN A MAYBE
Cleveland cleanup man Edwin Encarnacion, who suffered what appeared to be a gruesome injury in Game 2, had a boot on his right foot and was using crutches. But it sounds like it’s not as bad as initially feared.
“I don’t know if remarkably better is a good word, but pretty close. He’s doing much better today,” Terry Francona said. “I don’t think he’s going to start (Game 3) but that hasn’t been ruled out either. So we’ll take our time and allow him to get treatment. But if he’s close to being available, that’s a really good sign. So we’re obviously not doing anything roster wise.
TAXED ’PEN
Asked how compromised his bullpen is given all the innings his relievers threw in Game 2, Girardi replied: “I’ll have to see. We have a day off, so we’ll have to see. My guess is Dellin Betances won’t be available, and I’ll have to check with the other guys.”
OF NOTE
Girardi is “probably going to go” with Gary Sanchez as his catcher for Game 3. … The manager will “continue to look at things” and see as far as a potential at-bat for Matt Holliday is concerned. The Bombers obviously have to win three straight or they’re season is over. “We know they’re really good,” Girardi said. “We knew that going in. The way I look at it, you have to win one in a row.”