I'm guessing you missed this part of the article?

quote:

---

It marked the fifth time a Yankee had been hit by a Ray in the past four games, while the Yankees have not hit any Rays. Jeter has been hit twice, and Chase Headley ended up in the hospital after being hit on the chin.

---

To put that # in context, the MLB average is to hit a batter once every 3 games.

Meh... NYYs are 2nd in the AL in hitting batters. To put that in perspective... only 1 other team has more. ;-)

And since the Yanks have given up the fewest BBs in the AL... you know they mean it when they do it.

And maybe like the thread on people getting tire of Jeter, TB pitchers are just as tired.

Didn't miss it. I just wasn't impressed by the complete lack of supporting information that might lead a reasonable individual to believe that there's a problem to be concerned about, that it's intentional, and that Maddon is the proximate cause.

Well how bout this then:

Prior to the Yankee games, the Rays had hit a total of 1 player every 3.08 games (48 HBP in 148 games) .

Then they Yankees come to town and 5 Yankee players are hit in 4 games.

The 5 HBP in 4 games represents almost 10% of the total HBP's the Rays have done for the entire season in only 3% of their games.

Surely its just a coincidence.

This is the key shot. The Captain going back and to his left... Back, and to the left. Back, and to the left. Back, and to the left.

So what happens then? Pandemonium.

Sounds like the Yankees are leaning into pitching in order to get on base against a very tough, but young pitching staff.