Boone got lucky. Peralta was warming for insurance if Chapman blew the save. If he was warming someone to come in to pitch to Freeman with the score 5-4, it damn well should have been Loaisaga or Green. Peralta was the wrong matchup in that situation and the book agrees if you look at the Peralta v. Freeman history.
Loaisiga wasn't available tonight, pitched two games in a row and Green already pitched in the seventh and eighth.
The Yankees were off Sunday, and Loaisiga had not pitched since last Tuesday, Aug.17th, so he had a lot of rest. He only pitched last night, so with an off day tomorrow, he should have been available.
Boone caught a break - he should have had JoLo ready to pitch to a dangerous hitter like Albies. In fact, he should have pulled Chapman after the 4 pitch walk to the pinch hitter before Albies.
I thought Boone made the right move with Peralta, although if indeed Loaisiga was available he could have gone that way but I thought I heard Loaisiga wasn't available. Maybe it was pitch count having pitched two innings. Bottom line, Boone shouldn't be put in that position by our closer. Second time in a week he's had to pull Chapman. Way too inconsistent to have any confidence with him.
He did seemingly make the right move with Peralta vs Freeman, as it just worked out. But even letting a hitter of Freeman's stature get to the plate with the game on the line was a mistake. As NW posted, the Perlata vs Freeman history indicated that was the wrong move.
While true that Chapman's poor pitching is what caused it, the fact is he has not been right for a while now, and should be inserted in low leverage situations only until when/if he gets right. As soon as he walked that batter on 4 straight pitches, it was obvious to anyone that he didn't have it. Chapman loses control of his fastball, he then appears to not have an "out" pitch he can control.
Boone needs to accept the reality that Chapman now is an unreliable closer, who should have a short leash if he will keep allowing him to close games that are close. I don't share the view that Chapman is so critical to the Yankees for them to win. There are 4 arms in the pen with better ERA's and WHIP's than him. None have the terrible control issues he has. I'd close with Loaisiga or Green.
Boone made the absolute right decision pulling Chapmanm, though I would argue it should have come after the 4 pitch walk which is often as sign that Chapman is about to totally implode. That and having Peralta warming up before Chapman started to get into trouble.
But I do not understand Boone's stubborn refusal to use Chapman in non high leverage situations ;ile Friday night and Saturday to allow him to work on whatever his issues are.
I see what you did there.