TITLE FIGHT
Battle brewing between Urshela, LeMahieu for AL batting crown
If the Yankees maintain their comfortable lead in the AL East, next month could lack drama in The Bronx.
That is, unless DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela end up going head-to-head for the AL batting title.
“That would be cool,’’ CC Sabathia said of a potential battle between the two teammates. “To be able to watch that up close between two of our guys, that would be special.’’
They provided a glimpse of what could be to come, as Urshela surged ahead of LeMahieu with three hits in Friday’s 3-2 win over Cleveland in The Bronx.
Urshela bumped his average to .342, while LeMahieu slipped to .337 despite hitting a double.
But Urshela still falls short of the required plate appearances to qualify for the batting lead.
He needs 134 plate appearances over the team’s final 38 games to get there.
With his emergence at third base and the Yankees’ continued injury problems, he’s approaching it and could get there in the next two weeks.
“I know I’m getting close [to qualifying],’’ Urshela said before the game. “I’m trying not to think about it too much. I’m just focused on winning. But it would be fun to get there.’’
LeMahieu has a similar mindset. As the season moves toward its final month, they both admitted to keeping an eye on their numbers.
“It’s hard not to when it stares you in the face when you’re up there,’’ LeMahieu said. “That’s not what I’m chasing, though. We’re going after the playoffs.”
This isn’t the first time LeMahieu has made a run at the title.
While with the Rockies in 2016, he edged Daniel Murphy — then of the Nationals — by one percentage point, but those were far different circumstances.
“We were way out of the race that year,’’ LeMahieu said. “I think it would mean more if it’s helping us in important games. You want it to be for something, not just for yourself.”
Colorado’s manager at the time, Walt Weiss, sat LeMahieu for much of the final week to preserve the lead over Murphy, who was out with an injury.
“It wasn’t a lot of fun,’’ LeMahieu said. “I wanted to be out there.”
LeMahieu said he believes his previous experience will help him avoid being distracted by any added attention if the race remains close down the stretch.
“Honestly, when I won it, it was cool, but it’s not something I played for,’’ LeMahieu said. “A lot of people made a big deal about it, but I really didn’t. I don’t think that would change now.”
Asked what he received with the award in 2016, LeMahieu said he wasn’t sure.
“I think I got a bat,’’ LeMahieu said. “It’s in my house somewhere.’’
He made it clear, though, that’s not the hardware he’s looking for.
“Winning something like that would be fun and watching Gio go for it every day would be awesome,’’ LeMahieu said. “But it’s not as much fun as the playoffs. When you have that in front of you, that’s what really matters.’’
Sabathia will be watching — and no doubt others will, as well — if they stay at or near the top of the list in September.
“I don’t know how many other people are aware, but I sit on the bench all game,’’ Sabathia said. “I pay attention to stuff like that. If they keep it up, we’ll get really into it. It’s a long season. To have something else to root for would be great.”