The Yankees are so hot as they begin a four-game series versus the Oakland A’s on the road tonight, they’re finding it difficult to get consistent playing time for first baseman Luke Voit, one of their most productive hitters as of late.
They are 74-52, 19-4 so far in August, and currently in second place behind the Tampa Bay Rays. Voit was named American League Player of the Week on Monday. In six games prior to the start of the week, Voit went 10-for-21 with two home runs and 11 RBI, making a major impact for the Yankees, who have won 11 in a row, their longest streak since 1985.
“He’s playing great,” said Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone before their 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on the road on Tuesday. “I think the biggest thing is he’s healthy, and we know what kind of hitter he is when he’s healthy.”
Voit, who began the week with a seven-game hitting streak, didn’t start Monday’s 5-1 victory against the Braves or Tuesday’s game. He came off the bench in the eighth on Monday and again in the ninth on Tuesday, drawing walks in both at-bats.
Voit is splitting time at first with Anthony Rizzo, who the Yanks acquired from the Chicago Cubs last month at the trade deadline. Until Rizzo went on the injury list on Aug. 7 due to contracting COVID-19, he was also giving the Yanks strong performances. Rizzo was reinstated to the active roster on Aug. 18.
“I finally feel like I’m hitting my stride after getting a week’s worth of games under me,’’ said Voit after having go-ahead hits in the Yankees’ doubleheader sweep over the Boston Red Sox last week.
“I’ve been a great player for this organization for the last three years. I’m not going down. I want to play, and I deserve to play,” he added. Voit acknowledged Rizzo also has earned playing time. The Yankees felt the need to strengthen themselves at first because Voit has been on the injured list three times this season due to knee inflammation.