​Everybody found the sequence incredibly odd, especially Michael Kay and Joe Girardi in the YES Network broadcast booth. The moment came on a night when the Yankees struck out 17 times in a 6-4 defeat to the league-leading Tampa Bay Rays, and Jose Caballero became the center of attention by dropping his bat on a 3-2 count in the second inning before the pitch even crossed home plate. “And he took all the way, and right down the middle,” Kay remarked on air. “What was that, Joe?” “I don’t know what happened there. I don’t know if he tried to call timeout and the umpire didn’t grant it to him,” Girardi replied. “I don’t see him saying anything.” “That’s weird,” Kay added. “I think we both don’t know what we just saw.” According to MLB.com, Yankees manager Aaron Boone described it as a “strategic decision” by Caballero, a move that prompted a discussion in the dugout between the two.
Caballero would later become the hero of Monday’s game, launching two home runs and driving in four runs, while explaining that the unusual moment stemmed from his attempt to stop chasing so many breaking balls. Boone said he “didn’t hate” that explanation. Despite Caballero’s bursts of power and the team’s dramatic late-inning contributions, the Yankees found themselves four games back of the Rays as they headed into the third game of the series on Wednesday.
For the Wednesday tilt between the Yankees and the Rays, BetMGM set the over/under at 7 total runs. Our comprehensive BetMGM Sportsbook review can guide you through the app’s features, including live betting, line movement, and accessibility across devices. If you’re looking to follow the latest numbers and trends, BetMGM provides a robust platform for exploring wagering options while you watch the series unfold.
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