The New York Yankees have started the 2024 season on a positive note. They really needed to have a promising start to the season after doing a great job in the offseason. In 2023, the NY side went through a terrible time. Eventually, they had the worst season in their franchise history, especially in the last 30 years. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers failed to make the postseason. It was their first time since the 2016 season. On top of that, they had the second-worst batting average in the league. The nine-time World Series champions, the Oakland Athletics, are the only team who had an even worse batting average than the Yankees last year.
Since then, things have changed a lot. The Pinstripes added Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham to reinforce their offense and outfield. It looks really good at present. However, things could have been better if Gerrit Cole stayed healthy. Without their ace pitcher, the NY side seems to have a very weak starting pitching department. However, it looked a bit shaky, even during early spring training. But now the manager would hope for the available starters to do their job well. Lately, the Yankees added right-handed pitcher Jake Cousins to their bullpen.
How Can The Former White Sox RHP Help The Yankees?
So far, the Yankees have managed to remain unbeaten in the 2024 regular season. They defeated the 2017 and 2022 World Series winners by a clean sweep. It is all thanks to Juan Soto, Oswaldo Cabrera, and others in the batting order. Some of the pitchers, like Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodon, had a more or less good start to the season. Anyhow, the NY side’s front office did not shy away from landing another pitcher. But this time, it is a pitcher from the minor league. The Yankees acquired Jake Cousins on Sunday for cash in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. There is not much clarity regarding what role Cousins would play for the NY side.
But he will be an added arm for the Yankees bullpen. Jake was not part of the 40-man roster of the White Sox. Last December, he had signed a minor deal with the Chicago side. In the spring training, the 29-year-old hurler recorded a 1.29 ERA. He had a 0-1 record after seven appearances in spring training. Previously, for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cousins recorded a 3.08 ERA, with a 3-1 record after 51 appearances. Moreover, the RHP had 1.386 Whip over 52.2 innings. In 2023, the Houston Astros waived Jake Cousins. Later, in September, they sent him to the minor league. Eventually, in December, Cousins signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Juan Soto Helped The Yankees Again To Secure Victory Against The Astros
Recently, the Dominican superstar played another major role for the NY side, winning against the Astros in Minute Maid Park. The new superstar of the Bronx Bombers hit three times, including one RBI single that came in the ninth inning. Eventually, the Yankees beat the Houston side at their home ground 4-3. The NY side has not had such a great start to the season since 2003. Moreover, they won all four games against the Astros. It is only the 12th time the Yankees have been able to achieve that.
Extending their streak back to September last year, the Pinstripes have won seven games on the trot at Minute Maid Park. Later, Juan Soto told AP News that it was exactly the start he wanted. He has been grinding really hard this offseason and during spring training. The goal was to be successful at the beginning of the new season.
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