"I Think It's Over": Harold Reynolds Predicts Yankees Sweep

Craig Carton (0:00)

Joining us now from MLB Network, he's won an Emmy Award, probably more than one.

And you can watch him on MLB tonight throughout the entire postseason. My guy, Harold Reynolds. Harold Craig in Big Mac. Good afternoon, pal, how you been? Hey, Harold.

Harold Reynolds (0:15)

Gentlemen, what's happening? Carton, long time, brother. Good to hear from you.

Craig Carton (0:19)

Yeah, you too, you too. Been a stranger for far too long. We can talk about that offline, but give me an idea, not as an analyst, but as a player.

How demoralizing is it when you go up against a guy that was dealing like Kam Schlittler was last night?

Harold Reynolds (0:38)

If you know going back after the first inning, it's going to be a long night. And that is tough.

Take this one pit and get that opportunity. He was so on that he just mowed them down. You didn't have much to work with.

Craig Carton (0:54)

Does that carry over to game two? Or are you guys able to compartmentalize, all right, tip your cap, the kid was just awesome last night, it's a brand new night tonight, or does it carry over?

Harold Reynolds (1:06)

No, you tip your cap, glad he's gone, we won't see him again. And whoever we face is not going to be that.

Chris McMonigle (1:15)

And what did you think about Boone doing something we don't typically see anymore in today's baseball? Sends him back out for the seventh inning, 117 pitches. They said they were going to rely on this starting pitching. He sent a message to his team, he sent a message to the Red Sox. What did you think about sending them back out there to let them go 117 longest most amount of pitches in a Yankee playoff game since 2012?

Harold Reynolds (1:38)

Yeah, I thought it was interesting. It just shows you the importance of winning game one.

And Aaron, you're not getting anything better than that. Also, he didn't have any stress pitches. I mean, they didn't have much, it wasn't a lot of pressure on him. So, he didn't have to reach back for another 104, you know what I mean, instead of throwing 100 easy. Things like that. So, I think that played into it. But also, it kind of gives us a window into what the Yankees are thinking. They held a lot of pitching back throughout the summer, and now you've got to dispose of them and go get it.

Chris McMonigle (2:14)

The other guy who really made the big impact in this game, also from the Boston area, is Ben Rice. Talk about what you're seeing from him, the ability to hit the fastball as well as anyone in baseball, the power he's shown, and just how much he's grown. I mean, it feels like the Yankees are watching two superstars coming to their own here.

Harold Reynolds (2:32)

Yeah, well, I can even add the shortstop in there too, man. I think he's going to be pretty special. But no, watching Ben come around, you can see it last year, and even break on the scene a couple years ago, it's kind of like, who is this guy? And he's just continued to get better. Talking with him, he's understanding how they're trying to attack him. He's got great game plan. And it's not just home runs. This guy can really hit.

And it's been fun to watch him grow. I think we're just scratching the surface right now, though. He's got a lot more left.

Craig Carton (3:05)

Talking to Harold Reynolds from MLB Network, Harold, we as New Yorkers, and it's an ego play for us, we think there's a mystique about guys coming to play here in New York City. It's not for everybody, whether that's the media, the fan base, the interests, all the kind of stuff that comes with it. Even the negativity, to be honest about it. Sonny Gray has been a damn good pitcher throughout his career, everywhere but here.

What's your expectation of Sonny Gray taking the mound in a place that he's got some demons and ghosts from his past when he was a Yankee?

Harold Reynolds (3:38)

Well, I think he's coming with everything he's got. You know, I watched Randy Johnson struggle as a Yankee too, and then come back and not let that stuff affect him. It's different when you play for the home team than when you come in as the visitor. And Sonny Gray is a visitor. He's been very vocal about his time in New York.

I think he comes with a chip on his sleeve and he's ready to go.

Craig Carton (4:02)