Schadenfreude 212 (A Continuing Series)

Peter Botte, Daily News:

There truly is no excuse for the Yankees, whose roster is essentially whole again for the first time in months, not to reach the playoffs this season.

[T]his week's slate against AL divisional leaders Cleveland and Boston — beginning with Monday's marquee pairing of Cy Young candidates Corey Kluber and Luis Severino — finally will take us into September and provide a firmer idea whether the division title realistically remains within the Bombers' grasp over the final weeks of the regular season. ...

The Yanks have been taking care of business against teams below them in the standings, starting this string with a four-game sweep of the injury-riddled Mets. It is time to do the same now against those above them.

Christian Red, Daily News:

Joe Girardi made a bold move taking slumping Aaron Judge out of the lineup Monday. The Yankees could have used a few Judge blasts as the Indians beat Luis Severino, 6-2, at the Stadium. The Bombers mustered just three hits off Indians ace Corey Kluber. ...

"I'll sleep on it. Probably again (Tuesday) for sure, and then I'll go from there," said Girardi after the loss, referring to how long he'll rest his towering rookie right fielder.

Severino surrendered just four hits but three were solo home runs. ...

Kluber (13-4) was brilliant, allowing two runs on three hits over eight innings while whiffing seven.

Ken Davidoff, Post:

Big week. Big loss.

As H. Ross Perot used to say, it's just that simple.

When the Yankees come up against the teams above them in the hunt, they underwhelm too often. That won't do when they need to consistently overwhelm to get to their desired destination. Their 6-2 loss to the Indians on Monday night at Yankee Stadium, the kickoff to a critical week featuring three games against American League Central-leading Cleveland followed by a four-pack against the AL East-leading Red Sox, put the Yankees 3½ games behind the Sawx, thanks to their 6-5 victory over the Blue Jays in Toronto. ...

[T]he Yankees are now a combined 12-15 against the Red Sox (8-7), Indians (2-3) and Astros (2-5). ...

Girardi opted to play this game without Aaron Judge, whom he benched for at least two games in an effort to recharge the rookie’s batteries. The manager easily could have gone to this dramatic measure weeks ago, given how quickly he exacted even more drastic moves like the demotions of high-priced closer Aroldis Chapman and high-priced center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and the de facto disciplinary benching of Sanchez for his poor defense. The Yankees just have to hope that too late doesn't lead to too little.

[A]t 70-60, they're still striving to get back to their high-water mark of 15 games over .500, their 38-23 record of June 13. Since then, they are 32-37, and no cupcakes remain on their schedule, thanks to the jam-packed AL wild-card race.