For the first time in their storied 124-season history, the New York Yankees have kicked off a season with back-to-back shutouts. Max Fried and Cam Schlittler were the stars on the mound, leading the Yankees to a commanding start against the San Francisco Giants with a 7-0 victory on Wednesday and a 3-0 win on Friday. The Giants, managing just a single hit on Friday, have set an unfortunate record as the first team to open a season with no runs and five or fewer hits across two games.
This isn't quite the debut Giants' new manager Tony Vitello had in mind. The former University of Tennessee head coach is still chasing his first MLB run and win. After Friday's game, Vitello took responsibility for the shutout losses, reflecting on a fiery motivational speech he delivered earlier in the week.
"I'd kind of put it on me a little bit," Vitello shared with reporters. He admitted that while the speech was meant to ignite passion, it might have instead led to heightened emotions and pressure among the players. "Maybe it stems from that conversation or the Opening Day excitement, but everyone wants it to change."
Vitello acknowledged the pressure his players felt, noting how it showed in their tense grips on the bats. He emphasized the need to relieve some of that tension, allowing the team to play freely and showcase their true capabilities.
While passionate speeches have their moments, perhaps the eve of Opening Day wasn't ideal. Vitello is now in the big leagues, where players are seasoned professionals, driven by their own internal motivations. A rousing speech might not resonate the same way it did in college.
Ultimately, the Giants faced two formidable pitchers in Fried and Schlittler. It's just two games out of a long 162-game season, a stark contrast to the shorter college season Vitello is used to. The manager hinted at possible lineup adjustments for the series finale, but making drastic changes after just two games might be premature.
Vitello, at 47, is breaking new ground as the first to jump directly from college to an MLB managerial position without prior professional experience. His tenure at Tennessee was impressive, leading the Volunteers to a historic season and their first National Championship in 2024.
The Giants, having hovered around the .500 mark with 81, 79, 80, and 81 wins over the last four years, are projected to be in the same range this season. Starting 0-2 is their first such stumble since 2020, but there's plenty of baseball left to play.