HOUSTON, TX: The New York Yankees are filled with all sorts of expectations for the 2024 season. Their normal everyday players have been getting the job done. However, one man that barely made the Opening Day roster is taking full advantage of the opportunity he’s been given. That’s UTIL Oswaldo Cabrera.
Yankees Opening Day third baseman was penciled in to be DJ LeMahieu. Once LeMahieu hit the IL, that spot was given to Oswaldo Cabrera. After three games in Houston, Cabrera is making history at the hot corner.
Some interesting facts about Cabrera’s first three games in 2024:
•Oswaldo Cabrera is the only Yankee with multiple game-tying HR in 6th inning or later in the team's first 3 games of the season over the last 100 years.
•Before this season Oswaldo Cabrera had 0 game-tying HR in the 6th inning or later. He now has 2 in the first 3 games of 2024.
(Per Katie Sharp on X)
•Yankees with 7 + H, 2+ HR and 6+ RBI in first 3 games of season
Oswaldo Cabrera (2024)
Starlin Castro (2016)
Tino Martinez (1997)
Bill Skowron (1955)
Bill Dickey (1934)
Lou Gehrig (1932)
•Yankee Teammates to each record at least 6 H and 3 RBI in first 3 games of season
2024
Oswaldo Cabrera & Juan Soto
1994
Danny Tartabull & Wade Boggs
1960
Roger Maris & Bill Skowron
1932
Samuel Byrd, Lou Gehrig, Ben Chapman & Babe Ruth
(Per New York Yankees Stats on X)
Cabrera, 25, is 7-for-13 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI to start the year. After having an unimpressive 2023 that saw him slash .211/.275/.299 with 5 home runs, this was just the start Cabrera needed.
There is no doubt that Cabrera’s sample size is small, just three games into the season small. However, this has to be a positive sign for the Yankees and Oswaldo Cabrera.
Cabrera's secret to his hot start you may ask?
“Watching Soto in the cage… I know it’s funny, but that guy has a lot of things that make Soto be Soto.”
The Yankees are currently awaiting game four of the season in which they are going for the four-game sweep of the Astros. A club that has given the Yankees and their fans nightmares over the last few years. The best part for Yankees fans about this, Aaron Judge has been silent to start the year and they are still winning games.