Circle That One - Gardy vs Verlander
What Happened
In a crucial matchup between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros, veteran outfielder Brett "Uncle Brett" Gardner steps up to the plate against the dominant Justin Verlander in the top of the inning. The Yankees trail by one run and with slugger Aaron Judge waiting on deck, the stage is set for a pivotal at-bat. Verlander begins by walking the previous batter, Gleyber Torres, putting the top of the order in play. As Gardner digs in, Verlander tries to get ahead with a changeup, but Gardner takes a disciplined pitch. The veteran outfielder then lays off another tough changeup, putting himself in a favorable 2-0 count. Verlander battles back, painting the corner with a fastball to even the count at 2-2. Gardner continues to work the at-bat, fouling off a slider before Verlander drops a changeup in the bottom right quadrant of the strike zone. Though Gardner appears frustrated with the previous borderline call, he remains composed, ready to fight off Verlander's best offerings. The at-bat reaches a tense 3-2 count and the Yankees decide to put the runner in motion, with Gleyber Torres taking off for third base. Verlander fires a high fastball, but Gardner fights it off, keeping the pressure on the Astros' ace. Verlander goes back to the high fastball and Gardner manages to get enough of the ball to ground it through the shift, allowing Torres to score from third. The veteran outfielder has weathered the storm against one of the game's premier pitchers, setting the stage for Aaron Judge to potentially deliver a big blow. As Gardner walks away, he appears to be talking to himself, not entirely sure what he's frustrated about. But his teammates and fans surely appreciate the gritty at-bat, as the Yankees have seized the momentum in this tightly contested matchup against their divisional rivals.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentall right today circle that one we have
Guardi verse Justin Verlander Verlander
just walked geo or Shella last guy in
the lineup that's a mistake top of the
order judges on deck Verlander wants to
get ahead what's he gonna throw Plus+
changeup just misses his own Guardi
takes it he takes control of the bat
that's a great pitch by Verlander that's
exactly where he wants to put that
changeup huge take by uncle Bret what's
Verlander coming back with fastball the
same changeup this one's a little
further off the plate guarding with a
good take he takes he takes control of
this at-bat now you're 2o with judge on
bet you should be getting something a
hit here right
Verlander paints the corner it's even a
little off the plate but he's Justin
Verlander he's gonna get that call ok 2
1 Verlander with another strike here
it's back to 2 2 and now he's in control
of the bat Verlander rocks he drops a
pretty changeup bottom right quadrant of
the zone now if your guard er a little
pissed you're like damn I wish that
fastball didn't get called a strike the
advantage is in Verlander's favor
Verlander looks at her show rocks back
he's going for the punch-out here slider
not his best he left at middle middle
already fouls it off because it's still
a Justin Verlander slider we should
switch camera angles Verlander goes back
to the slider it yes it's in the dirt
that's still a really nice pitch from
Justin Verlander it's a 3-2 count guard
he's working the count
you have judge on deck you could put the
runner in motion here which the Yankees
do high fastball look where that is top
of the zone Verlander was getting that
call literally all day
Brett fights off a tough pitch guess
what Verlander goes back to it Gardi
gets on top of it grounds it through the
shift or shellow is on the move he goes
to third the Yankees are set up for a
big inning uncle Brett you bring judge
up
Brett's talking to himself he doesn't
even know what he's mad about at this
point he just had a great at-bat
appreciate this at-bat by Brett Gardner
against Justin Verlander one of the best
in the league and again for me circle
that