On Sunday, the New York Yankees secured a victory against the Houston Astros, solidifying their best start since 2003 and completing their first four-game series sweep of the season.
The ‘Bronx Bombers’ triumphed with a 4-3 win on the road, marking yet another standout performance for Soto, whose presence has been pivotal in rejuvenating the struggling team.
Despite a disappointing season last year, during which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Yankees, renowned as the most successful team in US baseball history with 27 World Series titles and 40 appearances overall, seem to have found new life this year thanks to the contributions of outfielder Juan Soto Pacheco, who hails from the Dominican Republic.
Last season proved dismal for the New York team, as they spent $295 million on an unsuccessful campaign that saw them fail to advance beyond the regular season. With over 3.4 million followers on Instagram, the world-famous Yankees underwent significant rebuilding efforts for the current season following their postseason absence.
Nine players left the team while Dominican player Soto joined the New York Yankees in December through a trade with the San Diego Padres, along with a significant amount of money, approximately €30 million, deposited in his bank account.
The New York Yankees clinched victory against the Houston Astros by winning all four games in the series, securing the final win with a score of 4-3 at Minute Maid Park. This victory marks the beginning of the team’s quest to reclaim its former glory in the 2024 season.
At Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, the New York Yankees’ offense once again showcased its prowess. José Treviño and Jon Berti hit singles, while Aaron Judge contributed with a sacrifice, giving the Yankees an early 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, José Altuve of the Astros, the 2022 World Series champions, hit his first home run of the season.
Pitcher Clarke Schmidt delivered 5.1 solid innings for New York before being replaced by Jonathan Loáisiga. However, Loáisiga struggled, allowing Altuve and Kyle Tucker to score, tying the game at 3-3.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72259868/usa_today_20588662.0.jpg)
In the ninth inning, Juan Soto’s third hit of the game seemed to secure the victory for the Yankees, allowing Gleyber Torres to cross home plate.
The start of the MLB season has brought attention to Shohei Ohtani, now the highest-paid player in the world following his transfer to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his outstanding performance, batting .385 in his initial three games, has been overshadowed by a sports betting scandal.
Ohtani is currently under investigation by the MLB due to allegations involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, accused of embezzling $4.5 million (€4.17 million) from Ohtani’s accounts to settle debts with an illegal bookmaker.
If proven, Major League Baseball could suspend Ohtani for a duration ranging from one year to indefinitely, depending on the gravity of the violation of MLB Rule 21.
Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter, claims he only placed bets on NFL, soccer, and college football games, vehemently denying any involvement in baseball betting. Ohtani also asserts his innocence, stating he never wagered on baseball or any other sport nor asked anyone to do so on his behalf. He further accuses Mizuhara of stealing money from his bank account, emphasizing that he was misled and betrayed.
