{"id":650254,"date":"2026-03-29T10:14:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T10:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/650254\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T10:14:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T10:14:21","slug":"yankees-takeaways-from-a-winning-weekend-at-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/650254\/","title":{"rendered":"Yankees’ takeaways from a winning weekend at San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO \u2013 In a few subtle words, Aaron Judge voiced last year\u2019s lingering regret.<\/p>\n

Before the Yankees finished their season-opening, three-game sweep at Oracle Park, Judge said \u201cfinishing out series\u2019\u2019 was a pregame conversation Saturday.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s going to make the difference between winning a division, or ending up in a tie and losing it,\u2019\u2019 said Judge, referencing the eventual AL champion Toronto Blue Jays\u2019 2025 path.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery game matters.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Hours later, Judge dented a parked ambulance with a fifth-inning insurance run \u2013 his second homer of the year \u2013 in a 3-1 win against the Giants, before scores of family, friends and spurned Bay area fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust soaking up the atmosphere,\u2019\u2019 said Judge of the entire scene. \u201cWe took care of business. That\u2019s the most important thing.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Yankees’ challenge at hand\"Mar<\/p>\n

Mar 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Once more, manager Aaron Boone mentioned how much of a pest he\u2019d been to his players during spring training.<\/p>\n

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The subject? Being great at the new ABS system, with measured reasoning \u2013 taking the emotional part out of it.<\/p>\n

On a day when seven challenges reversed calls by plate ump Chad Whitson, none was bigger than Trent Grisham\u2019s third-inning helmet tap with one out, none on base.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a called third strike was ball three. Grisham would walk and score on Ben Rice\u2019s two-run double, giving the Yanks a 2-0 lead off starter Tyler Mahle.<\/p>\n

Yanks’ catcher Austin Wells went 2-for-2 in his defensive challenges, which included getting a K for Tim Hill.<\/p>\n

Ben Rice’s strides at first base\"Mar<\/p>\n

Mar 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) catches a fly ball against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

At first base, Rice\u2019s defensive play is being graded daily by Yankees Universe.<\/p>\n

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And so far, the diligent offseason and spring training work has led to a sharp start \u2013 with several good scoops, a tricky catch of a pop up near the line and better footwork overall.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou give him a challenge, he\u2019s able to conquer it,\u2019\u2019 Boone said of his Dartmouth educated catcher-turned-first baseman.<\/p>\n

“The more games I get under my belt, the more comfortable I\u2019m going to feel,” said Bird, who held the bag on Jose Caballero’s relay, securing a double play to end the sixth, with runners at the corners.<\/p>\n

“The reality is, I\u2019ve got to keep getting in-game reps to keep feeling better.”<\/p>\n

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Jake Bird, flying high in Yanks’ bullpen<\/p>\n

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See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

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Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after a strike out against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Large San Francisco Giants championship rings are seen before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Netflix Broadcaster and NFL Quarterback Jameis Winston interviews Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees before the game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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A general view as a smoke flag fires during the national anthem before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

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Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: A general view of a flag on the field as confetti and fireworks shoot off before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.<\/p>\n

As Yankees debuts go, it couldn\u2019t have been much worse than Bird\u2019s 2025 intro.<\/p>\n

Acquired at the trade deadline from Colorado, Bird gave up seven runs in three games and wasn\u2019t heard from until spring training, where he was no lock to go north.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood just to kind of have a fresh start,\u2019\u2019 said Bird, whose sinker-sweeper combo was in good working order Saturday.<\/p>\n

Not wanting to pitch Camilo Doval three times in four days, Boone got five big outs from Bird.<\/p>\n

With runners at the corners, none out in the sixth, Bird made Willy Adames chase a third-strike sweeper then got Harrison Bader to tap into one of the Giants\u2019 four DPs Saturday.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat was huge right there,\u2019\u2019 said Rice of preserving a two-run lead. \u201cMonster.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Will Warren gets through “chaos”\"Mar<\/p>\n

Mar 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren (29) prepares to deliver a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

As important as Will Warren was to the 2025 staff, his first full season was marred by first-inning trouble \u2013 to the tune of a 6.00 ERA.<\/p>\n

Warren battled his command during most of Saturday\u2019s 4.1 innings (83 pitches), yielding one run \u2013 ending the Giants\u2019 20-inning scoreless streak to start 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a lot of chaos there,\u2019\u2019 but Warren \u201cminimized the damage overall\u2019\u2019 with an aggressive tact, Wells\u2019 guidance and a little extra velocity than 2025.<\/p>\n

And he won a big battle in that first inning, a 10-pitch at-bat \u2013 striking out Heliot Ramos on a 97-mph fastball to strand runners at the corners.<\/p>\n

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No. 700 for Aaron Boone\"Mar<\/p>\n

Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) walks on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Saturday marked Boone\u2019s 700th MLB victory since joining the Yankees as a rookie manager in 2018.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the seventh Yankee manager in the 700 Club, led by Joe McCarthy (1,460 wins).<\/p>\n

Heading into Sunday’s off day, moving into a three-game series at Seattle, Boone’s weekend was succinct: \u201cI loved that we played well.<\/p>\n

“But it\u2019s March.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees’ takeaways from a winning weekend at San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SAN FRANCISCO \u2013 In a few subtle words, Aaron Judge voiced last year\u2019s lingering regret. Before the Yankees…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":650255,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2408],"tags":[1797,106,1217,5,731,945,167,162,365,851,1119,4,378,66,4343,4340,619,4344,4341,4342,4791,70,122,91,772,103,142,5204],"class_list":["post-650254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-francisco-giants","tag-aaron-boone","tag-aaron-judge","tag-austin-wells","tag-baseball","tag-ben-rice","tag-camilo-doval","tag-colorado","tag-giants","tag-harrison-bader","tag-heliot-ramos","tag-jake-bird","tag-mlb","tag-san-francisco","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-sanfrancisco","tag-sanfranciscogiants","tag-seattle","tag-sf","tag-sf-giants","tag-sfgiants","tag-tim-hill","tag-toronto-blue-jays","tag-trent-grisham","tag-tyler-mahle","tag-will-warren","tag-willy-adames","tag-yankees","tag-yanks"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116311942295649793","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/650254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=650254"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/650254\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/650255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=650254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=650254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=650254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}