Yankee News: Duo of Gardner and Ellsbury Ignite Yankees

For the last two decades the New York Yankees magic number has been” 2.” Derek Jeter, who will be the last man to wear a pinstriped 2 for the Bronx bombers, was the Yankee Captain, the leader, the heart and soul, and manned the 2-hole in the Yankees lineup. His retirement after the 2014 season left the Yankees a changed team. But, in 2015 the importance of the number two remains.

In 2015 it is clear that there has been a sea-change in the Yankees organization. Jeter and the “Core Four” are gone and what is left is something new. These new Yankees are not your father’s Yankees. Their team chemistry is forged through the power of silly mustaches and funny videos like this promo for Brett Gardner Bat Day. This team seems to have an energy, a chemistry that is different than years past and it is stemming from the two players at the top of  lineup:  a dynamic duo of Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner.

May 8, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) greets left fielder Brett Gardner (11) at home after scoring on a double by right fielder Carlos Beltran (not pictured) in the third inning against Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Dan Barbarisi says that the chemistry between Ellsbury and Gardner is a growing one. He calls it a “Bromance,” and both have nothing but praise for the way that the other plays the game. Ellsbury says the two have become so in tune with each other that they do not have to speak to each other as they patrol the outfield they just know what the other is going to do saying “I’ll look at him, and we’re already moving, and I haven’t said anything,” Ellsbury said. “I would have said something, but I didn’t have to, we’re already moving. It’s just those little things.”  Gardner echoes this by saying that  “definitely push each other,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun hitting next to him in the lineup. Feels like every time I come up, he’s on base. I feel like he makes me better, and hopefully he feels the same about me.”

It is clear, that whether it is due to the chemistry of  Ellsbury and Gardner (Gardsbury?), or just the incredible skillset that each brings to the top of the order, it is having an effect on the team. The two have absolute blazing speed and cover a lot of ground in the outfield. This range and  speed on defense combined with their offensive barrage is leading the Yankees to their current first place record in the AL East.

While the bullpen and the middle of the order bats have also been contributing, it is arguable that most of the current  success is due to the table-setting abilities of this pair. Ellsbury is hitting .338 with an OBP of .415. And behind him is the historically patient Gardner, who is batting .305 with and OBP of .415, and is slugging .383 which makes him the ideal 2-hole hitter.

 The high OBP from these two is fantastic, but add to that the absolute havoc the pair of speedsters are wreaking on the base paths and it is no wonder the Yankees are scoring early and often, leading MLB in runs scored in the first inning. Going into Sunday’s game Ellsbury has 14 steals and Gardner 10. These two are getting on base and getting into scoring position which is exactly what you want from a set of 1-2 hitters.

Right now Gardner and Ellsbury are pushing all the right buttons and are a two-headed nightmare for opposing teams. It is certainly exciting for the team and the fans, especially in the way they are pushing each other and the team to success.