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The New York Yankees may have themselves a future star within their ranks.

During Saturday's MLB All-Star Futures Games, shortstop George Lombard Jr. stole the show and impressed scouts in attendance. In fact, Lombard was even called the game's "Best Player" by Baseball America, thanks to his impressive defensive performance.

Lombard smoked a double and showed solid plate discipline by drawing a walk in a 1-for-2 performance in the game. He handled everything that came his way at shortstop, too.

As of its latest update, MLB Pipeline ranks Lombard as the No. 35 prospect in baseball, and the No. 10 shortstop. He's the No. 1 ranked Yankees prospect, and is currently the only player in the organization rated inside the top 100.

At 20 years old, it could be another year or so until Lombard gets his shot at the big leagues. Across two minor league levels this season, he's slashing .239/.382/.356 with three home runs, 30 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He's struggled a bit at the plate since arriving at Double-A Somerset, but he'll have plenty of time to turn things around as he continues to develop.

Lombard was a first-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft, selected at No. 26 pick by New York.

Big picture: Zimbabwe eye first win against NZ

Welcome back to Test cricket, New Zealand. The last time they played a Test was in December 2024, against England in Hamilton. Given that this two-match series against Zimbabwe doesn’t count towards the World Test Championship, they can take their time to reacquaint themselves with the flow and rhythm of red-ball cricket.On the other hand, Zimbabwe have played seven Tests this year, the joint-most with Australia. But with six losses and just one win, they have the worst record for any team. Moreover, they are yet to beat New Zealand in Test cricket. Of the 17 Tests against New Zealand, they have lost 11 and drawn six.Having said that, this is a slightly weakened New Zealand side. They are without captain Tom Latham, former captain Kane Williamson and allrounders Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson. Williamson is unavailable for the series, having signed a deal with Middlesex, which includes playing for London Spirit in the Hundred; Jamieson is at home, awaiting the birth of his first child; Latham is yet to recover from a shoulder injury he picked up during the Vitality Blast; and Phillips is sidelined with a groin injury he picked up during the MLC.Related

• From net bowler to 'X factor' – Fisher on cusp of potential debut

• Bracewell replaces Phillips for the first Test

• Latham out of first Test, Santner to lead

In Latham’s absence, Mitchell Santner will lead the side. He has plenty of experience captaining New Zealand in ODIs and T20Is, but this will be a first for him in first-class cricket, let alone Test cricket.Recently, an understrength South Africa proved to be too good for Zimbabwe. But for this series, they are bolstered by the returns of allrounder Sikandar Raza and opener Ben Curran. Raza lends the much-needed balance and experience, and Curran should add the solidity at the top. Brendan Taylor’s ban has also ended but he has not been named in the squad yet.

Form guide

Zimbabwe LLLLW (last five Tests, most recent first)
New Zealand WLLWW

In the spotlight: Williams and Henry

Sean Williams has been easily the best Zimbabwe batter this year. In seven Tests, he has scored 577 at an average of 52.45 and a strike rate of 76.83. Only Shubman Gill (755) and Rishabh Pant (580) have scored more Test runs than him in 2025. One thing he would like to improve, though, is his conversion rate. Of his five 50-plus scores this year, he converted only one into a hundred.Sean Williams averages 52.45 in Tests this year•Zimbabwe Cricket

Matt Henry’s overall Test record – 120 wickets at an average of 29.84 – does not scream elite. But scratch beneath that and you realise why Henry is rated so highly. When he opens the bowling, his record becomes 105 wickets at 24.11. Last year, he picked up 48 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 18.58 and a strike rate of 33.97. Among the top ten wicket-takers of 2024, only Jasprit Bumrah had a better average (14.92) and a strike rate (30.1). Don’t be surprised if Henry continues from where he left off.

Team news: Fisher might debut

Blessing Muzarabani is the only fast bowler in the Zimbabwe squad to have played at least ten Tests. He will be supported by Tanaka Chivanga, with Newman Nyamhuri likely to be the third seamer.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Ben Curran, 3 Nick Welch, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Craig Ervine (captain), 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Newman Nyamhuri, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Tanaka ChivangaWith Latham and Phillips out injured, Henry Nicholls and Michael Bracewell are expected to play. Matt Fisher, who can hit 140kph, could make his debut.New Zealand (probable): 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Will O’Rourke, 11 Matt Fisher

Pitch and conditions

In the five Tests Bulawayo has hosted since December 2024, there have been three totals in excess of 580, including South Africa’s 625 for 6 declared that featured Wiaan Mulder’s unbeaten 367. Fast bowlers have done much better in those games, averaging 29.63 and striking every 50.5 balls, as compared to spinners, who average 38.62 with a strike rate of 62.9. The forecast is for cool and dry weather.

Stats and trivia

• New Zealand have won each of their last six Tests against Zimbabwe, four of them by an innings and another by 254 runs.
• Santner will become New Zealand’s 32nd Test captain.
• Three of Williams’ six Test hundreds have come at the Queens Sports Club.
• Williams is 125 away from 2000 Test runs, and Craig Ervine 159.
• Nicholls needs 27 runs to reach the 3000 mark in Test cricket.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a conquista do Campeonato Paulista de 2024, Abel Ferreira chegou ao décimo título à frente do comando técnico do Palmeiras e empatou com Osvaldo Brandão como o treinador com mais taças na historia do clube.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Neste domingo (7), o Verdão derrotou o Santos por 2 a 0, no Allianz Parque, e chegou ao tricampeonato do torneio estadual. Treinador do clube desde de novembro de 2020, Abel levantou seu primeiro troféu justamente contra o Peixe, na decisão da Copa Libertadores da mesma temporada.

SAIBA OS CINCO TREINADORES COM MAIS TÍTULOS PELO PALMEIRAS

▪️ Abel Ferreira e Osvaldo Brandão – 10 títulos
▪️ Vanderlei Luxemburgo – 8 títulos
▪️ Ventura Cambon – 7 títulos
▪️ Luiz Felipe Scolari – 6 títulos
▪️ Humberto Cabelli – 4 títulos

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Ao todo, Abel disputou 14 finais pelo Palmeiras e faturou oito delas. Com contrato renovado até dezembro de 2025, o português terá diversas oportunidades para se isolar na liderança da lista de maiores vencedores. Neste ano, o Verdão ainda disputa a Libertadores, Copa do Brasil e Campeonato Brasileiro.

VEJA TODOS OS TÍTULOS DE ABEL FERREIRA PELO PALMEIRAS

🏆 Copa Libertadores: 2020 e 2021
🏆 Copa do Brasil: 2020
🏆 Campeonato Brasileiro: 2022 e 2023
🏆 Recopa Sul-Americana: 2022
🏆 Campeonato Paulista: 2022, 2023 e 2024
🏆 Supercopa do Brasil: 2023

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Tudo sobre

Abel FerreiraFutebol NacionalPalmeiras

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a rescisão do contrato junto ao Vitória de Guimarães, o Vasco tem o caminho livre para acertar a contratação e anunciar Álvaro Pacheco. A situação estava toda encaminhada para que o técnico português chegasse na próxima semana, mas reviravoltas aconteceram nas últimas horas e aceleraram os processos. Saiba dos bastidores com o Lance! abaixo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVascoÁlvaro Pacheco rescinde com Vitória de Guimarães e se aproxima de ser anunciado pelo VascoVasco15/05/2024VascoVasco dá passo importante para a reforma de São JanuárioVasco15/05/2024VascoAndrey Santos, ex-Vasco, marca primeiro gol na Europa e garante vitória do Strasbourg em clássico na FrançaVasco14/05/2024

➡️Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

➡️A boa do Lance!Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

🗒️ ACORDO INICIAL
Álvaro Pacheco tinha acordado com o Vitória de Guimarães e o próprio Vasco de que faria o último jogo pelo clube português contra o Arouca, partida válida pela última rodada do Campeonato Português. Com isso, o técnico chegaria ao Brasil somente na próxima semana.

🔄 MUDANÇA DE PLANOS
Nas últimas horas, Álvaro Pacheco foi pressionado a sair do Vitória de Guimarães. Segundo informações apuradas pelo Lance!, futuro técnico do Vasco foi comunicado de que se não saísse agora, só sairia, antes mesmo da última rodada do Campeonato Português, só deixaria o clube ao final do contrato. Ou seja, em junho de 2025.

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Não era de hoje que o Vitória de Guimarães estava insatisfeito com Álvaro Pacheco. Sobretudo, após o episódio do técnico ter sentado para conversar com o Cuiabá. Nesta época, o clube português ainda tinha chances de se classificar para uma competição internacional.

Em entrevista coletiva, o presidente do Vitória de Guimarães, António Miguel Cardoso subiu o tom. Confira abaixo o que o dirigente disse.

– O treinador sai a custo zero porque, perante um treinador que a 3 dias do fim da temporada pretende sair, o clube não pode ficar refém de uma situação destas. Temos de ter alguém no comando que se preocupe.

😞 SENTIMENTO DE INJUSTIÇA
O Lance! também apurou junto a pessoas de Álvaro Pacheco que o técnico se sente injustiçado, tendo em vista que era um desejo pessoal fazer o jogo da despedida no Vitória de Guimarães, clube pelo qual tem grande carinho.

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Além disso, o sentimento é de que foi empurrado para fora do Vitória de Guimarães. Vale destacar que se conquistasse um resultado positivo contra o Arouca, Álvaro Pacheco bateria o recorde de pontuação de toda a história do clube no Campeonato Português.

Apesar de não ter data programada para a chegada ao Rio de Janeiro, a expectativa é de que Álvaro Pacheco chegue a tempo ainda para assistir o clássico contra o Flamengo. O Vasco enfrenta o maior rival neste sábado (18), às 21h, no Maracanã.

Tudo sobre

Álvaro PachecoFutebol NacionalVascoVitória de Guimarães

For the first time in 24 years, baseball fans in Seattle have experienced the taste of a postseason victory at home.

The Mariners defeated the Tigers 3–2 in Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday night, evening up the series 1-1. The victory marked the first time in almost a quarter of a century that the Mariners won a playoff game at their home stadium.

As a result, it was an emotional scene at T-Mobile Park, as fans in Seattle soaked in the feeling of an October win. The Fox broadcast captured the scenes in the Pacific Northwest to perfection, showcasing some excited fans as they finally experienced the long-awaited moment.

One fan was captured on the broadcast tearing up and exchanging a wholesome embrace with a loved one.

The last time the Mariners won a home playoff game was October 15, 2001, when they defeated Cleveland 3–1. That season, they advanced to the ALCS but were ultimately defeated by the Yankees in a five-game series.

Fans are hoping this year will be different. Seattle is one of five MLB teams to never win a World Series, and it's clear that the team's supporters are ready for the drought to snap.

Game 3 is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 7 from Comerica Park in Detroit. The series could potentially return to Seattle for a Game 5, if necessary.

Newcastle United haven’t gotten going this season, not in the Premier League.

The form on the road is becoming a real concern for Eddie Howe’s side, whose victories this season have been limited to St. James’ Park, and who have lost four on the bounce when detached from that vociferous home support.

Change is needed, and while the turbulence of the summer transfer window has made a transitional period inevitable, it’s clear there are some on Tyneside who must be shipped out for the sake of tactical continuity.

The endangered Newcastle stars

Newcastle are struggling this season, and no mistake. However, Howe has transformed this club in the years since his arrival, and he must be afforded ample time to sort things out.

However, this might mean that several stars need to be shipped out next year, with a stagnancy crawling across the squad’s fabric this season.

Sven Botman was all over the place as United slumped to defeat at Brentford last weekend, but there is surely hope that the 25-year-old, who has endured a series of injury-riddled years, will recover his once imperious Premier League form.

He’s not been helped by the widemen; Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn are limited as a full-back pairing. The veterans do combine, after all, for an age of 68, and the lack of dynamism and width and energy has impeded the Magpies.

Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, for example, have neither scored nor assisted in the Premier League this term, and likely cannot wait for the return of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento as a duo.

How Howe approaches 2026, the January transfer window and the summer market after that, is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear changes are needed. And one of these changes will sting the Tyneside crowds, but sadly, this Newcastle mainstay is no longer at his best and is a clear weak link in the middle of the park, showing certain shades of Moussa Sissoko long before him.

Newcastle's new Moussa Sissoko

Sissoko is something of a cult hero on Tyneside. The versatile French midfielder played 133 matches between 2013 and 2016, so tenacious and powerful from the centre of the park or out at right midfield.

Now 36 and playing for Watford in the Championship, Sissoko has not played in black and white for a long time, leaving for Tottenham in a £30m deal in 2016, but the case of Joelinton is throwing certain similarities toward the spotlight.

Joelinton, 29, arrived in England but lacked the composure and finishing skills to succeed. He looked to be drifting toward anonymity before being refashioned into a robust midfielder.

It’s delightful to see the Brazil international hailed as a “club legend” by content creator Adam Pearson, having featured 236 times across all competitions and played a defining role in lifting the Carabao Cup last year.

But his performances this season have left much to be desired, and United blogger Thomas Hammond has even suggested that this is “the start of the end” for the stalwart, who isn’t as sharp in his defensive duties as before; neither has he looked that effective in attack.

Sissoko was younger when leaving United for Spurs, but he too was inconsistent during that final, relegation-condemned campaign.

Joelinton has run himself into the ground over recent years, and now it might be time for Newcastle to cash in while they can and replace him with a fresher midfield cog to complement Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

170

2

Dan Burn

165

3

Fabian Schar

163

4

Jacob Murphy

150

5

Joelinton

145

For Joelinton to have been one of Howe’s mainstays at this golden age at Newcastle bears testament to his unwavering belief and drive.

But he can only drive forward for so long and it might be nearing the time to part ways with this all-action star and turn the page toward the new chapter.

They lost the ball 37 times: Newcastle duo must never start together again

Eddie Howe must never play this Newcastle United duo together again when Premier League action resumes.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 11, 2025

Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to launch a stunning big-money offer to sign Eduardo Camavinga and Real Madrid have now made their stance on selling the Frenchman clear.

The Magpies could certainly do with the statement that signing such a player would create. Eddie Howe’s side have been incredibly inconsistent so far this season, particularly going forward, and were made to pay for that against a struggling West Ham United side on Friday.

After suffering a 3-1 defeat, Howe told reporters: “The dynamism wasn’t there. The physicality and the energy were missing. We scored early and could have grabbed hold of the game but we didn’t and let it slip away.

“It didn’t look like a Newcastle team that we’ve seen in recent seasons. The body language, the collective spirit on the pitch, loads of little things weren’t there. It was a by-product of us just not being where we needed to be mentally.”

Those at St James’ Park are now facing the consequences for a chaotic summer in which they lost one of the world’s best strikers, Alexander Isak. Whilst his replacement, Nick Woltemade, has made an impressive start, it’s clear that Newcastle’s attack in its entirety is still struggling to click again.

0 tackles won: Newcastle duo must now never start together again for Howe

Eddie Howe must never select this Newcastle United duo together again after their disastrous performances against West Ham United.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 3, 2025

The eventual return of summer signing Yoane Wissa may still help things, but Newcastle sit as low as 13th in the Premier League as things stand – six points adrift of top four.

The January transfer window could also provide the Magpies with some much-needed solutions. The likes of Elliot Anderson and Hayden Hackney have already threatened to steal the headlines on that front, with Anderson particularly one to watch.

Whether it’s the Nottingham Forest star, Hackney or perhaps even Camavinga, it seems clear that those in Tyneside are attempting to overhaul their midfield with the future in mind.

Newcastle readying £60m+ Camavinga offer

It’s not just Anderson and Hackney who find themselves on the list of targets at St James’ Park. According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying an offer to sign Camavinga worth as much as €70m (£62m).

Camavinga has started just two of Real Madrid’s 11 La Liga games so far this season, but the Spanish giants are reportedly maintaining their position that they won’t sell the France international without welcoming an adequate replacement.

Xabi Alonso’s recent praise reflects that position, handing Newcastle a frustrating obstacle to overcome if they want to secure the midfielder’s signature.

The dynamism that Alonso mentioned would be vital for Newcastle. It would take Howe’s midfield from robust to controlling and that change would only help bridge the gap on the Premier League’s top sides.

PIF have the money to spend and Camavinga would certainly start in Tyneside. Whether Real Madrid are willing to change their sale stance remains to be seen, however.

Newcastle star is "all over the place" after West Ham defeat

Seamer asked to remain on standby for World Cup despite omission from initial squad

Valkerie Baynes24-Sep-2025Kate Cross has lost her England contract, capping a difficult month in which she also learned she had been overlooked for the World Cup.Cross revealed that England Women’s head coach Charlotte Edwards and director of cricket Jonathan Finch had told her during a post-season appraisal in August that her central contract wouldn’t be renewed, after playing 102 matches for her country across formats in an international career spanning nearly 12 years.”I had my appraisal with Lot and Finchy, our director of cricket, and they just told me that I’m not going to get my England contract renewed next year,” Cross said in a pre-recorded segment for the latest episode of , the podcast that she co-hosts with best friend and former team-mate Alex Hartley. “So as of October this year, 2025, I will not be a professional cricketer for England anymore.””I was dreading saying that, I feel sick,” Cross added in the episode released on Tuesday.Cross had her appraisal in early August, on the eve of the Hundred, in which she was ultimately part of the Northern Superchargers side that won the title, and learned of her World Cup omission partway through the tournament. She also revealed that Edwards had approached her after the Hundred to be a reserve for the World Cup.”I had a phonecall with Lottie at the end of the Hundred where she was like: ‘Look if you’re willing, can you keep training through October? Because if an injury goes down to one of the seamers, we are going to need you.’ That’s the bit I’m finding tough, because the end point isn’t now for me,” Cross said. “I’m back at Old Trafford next week bowling. It’s not been great. But I also have to think if an injury does go down, I have to go and be ready to play for England in a World Cup.”Cross claimed two wickets in the Hundred final to help power Northern Superchargers to the title•Julian Finney/Getty ImagesWith England Women’s central contracts due to be announced in December, Cross said she had a bad feeling about her future at the end of England’s home ODI series with India, which the hosts lost 2-1 in late July.”I started the India series opening the bowling for England as vice-captain, and I finished that series not even making the 13 that was named the night before, for the squad to play in that last ODI,” Cross said. “Lottie said to me, in a chat the day before the game, that it was a must-win game and I’m not part of the 13. As a cricketer who’s always prided myself on being a reliable bowler for your captain, who would hopefully stand up in big moments and do what I’ve done for a while for England, that was pretty tough to hear. I felt like a lot of trust had been lost quite quickly.”I’m not daft, I’m old enough and wise enough, and been around the block plenty of times to know that something’s happened there that might mean my future is maybe in a little bit of jeopardy.”When I came out of that India series, I felt a little bit lost and I didn’t feel like Lottie trusted me that much, having started the series where I did. I even said to Lottie, ‘I’m not daft, I know I didn’t bowl great (in the first ODI) at Southampton’. I didn’t feel like it was a droppable offence, but I know that wasn’t me at my best.”Cross wondered whether the back injury that she sustained in South Africa last year meant she had “lost a little bit of something”. Though she remained with the squad for England’s subsequent Ashes campaign in Australia, she didn’t play a match as England were whitewashed by seven matches to none.”That’s the stuff that you come to terms with, I guess, but I don’t quite feel like that’s the case,” she said. “I feel like I still have a lot to give the team and I know everyone that gets pushed out will say that, they’ll say that they always still felt like they’ve got stuff to give.Related

Cross, Sutherland level up as Northern Superchargers clinch Women's Hundred title

Lewis century secures cup double for Lancashire women

Kate Cross struggling to get her head around 'savage' World Cup snub

Kate Cross in Ashes fitness race after revealing disc bulge issue

“I’m so aware that my international career had to come to an end at some point, and it was going to be unlikely that I’d get to do it on my terms, because not many people get the privilege of finishing it on their terms. So I always knew that this would be probably how it was done, that I wouldn’t be ready for it.”But I think it’s just the speed of it. I honestly think in a couple of months’ time, a couple of years’ time, I might look back and be really pleased at how quickly it all happened, so I’ve not had to do that year of getting phased out and doing drinks and stuff like that. But I’m also sat here questioning whether I want to play cricket again.”With all this going on, Cross was also part of the Lancashire side which won the inaugural Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s title on Sunday. She was unsure whether she would seek out a domestic contract for next year and said she would spend the winter away from the game deciding what she wanted to do.”Lottie has, to be fair to her, kept reaching out saying, ‘can we have a chat?’ and I’m like, there’s no point for me yet because I don’t know what to say,” Cross said. “I don’t have anything to say to you that’s going to make me feel better.”The chat might make her feel better, but I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. That almost feels like something that might happen next year or in two years’ time, or maybe never.”

The 2025 MLB season has certainly not gone the way Justin Verlander hoped when he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in January.

Through 14 starts, Verlander has posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings pitched. He also has yet to record a win.

Verlander has qualified for a win—going at least five innings on the bump—in 10 of his 14 starts this season. The Giants have gone 3-11 in his 14 outings and haven't won a Verlander start since May 18—a 3–2 win over the Athletics when he allowed two runs on three hits and five walks in four innings.

The 42-year-old Verlander is just the eighth pitcher this century to fail to record a win in his first 14 starts of the season (minimum 70 innings pitched).

MLB pitchers with no wins in first 14 starts of season (min. 70 IP; since 2000)

PLAYER

TEAM (YEAR)

ERA (RECORD)

FIRST WIN

Justin Verlander

Giants (2025)

4.84 (0-6)

—

Jordan Lyles

Royals (2023)

6.89 (0-11)

June 24 (16th start)

Blake Snell

Rays (2017)

4.98 (0-6)

Aug. 15 (16th start)

Jerad Eickhoff

Phillies (2017)

4.93 (0-7)

July 9 (15th start)

Marco Estrada

Brewers (2012)

4.64 (0-5)

Aug. 21 (16th start)

Kenshin Kawakami

Braves (2010)

4.78 (0-9)

June 26 (15th start)

Kevin Millwood

Orioles (2010)

5.16 (0-8)

June 19 (15th start)

Tanyon Sturtze

Rays (2002)

4.79 (0-8)

June 26 (16th start)

To Verlander's credit, he has logged five quality starts (at least six innings and three or fewer runs allowed), but San Francisco haven't given him much run support, especially in those games.

There have only been four pitchers in MLB history to start at least 14 games and not record a win over a full season—Paolo Espino (2022), Spencer Howard (2021), Ryne Stanek (2019) and Vida Blue (1983). Espino started the year in the bullpen for the Washington Nationals, and Howard and Stanek were used as openers for their respective teams. Blue floated in and out of the bullpen for the 1983 Kansas City Royals.

The good news for Verlander? All seven other pitchers on the above chart were able to notch their first win of the season in their 15th or 16th start. Perhaps a bit of good fortune awaits the veteran before the All-Star break.

Aaron Boone's status as Yankees manager will once again be intensely dissected as the pinstripes were bounced from the postseason on Wednesday night by the Blue Jays. Cam Schlittler was unable to replicate his historic October debut and Toronto put the finishing touches on a gentleman's sweep to earn a spot in the ALCS.

Boone was classy in defeat but some fans are beginning to wonder—or continue to wonder—if he's the right guy for the job. As just a quick reminder, the Yankees made the World Series last year but in the case of Boone it's both "what have you done for me lately" and "what have you done for me before that."

Which isn't a defense of the manager, just an observation that few coaching jobs in sports demand success like that of Yankees skipper. Although those who are frustrated by Boone returning year after year might argue that.

Fox's postgame dug into the inevitable conversation after the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory and Alex Rodriguez was quick to offer some perspective.

"Honestly, from the entire organization, [Aaron Boone] is the guy I would circle that is the least to blame," the former Yankees great said.

"He's got a lot of talent but for me personally one of the worst construction of a roster I've ever seen," he continued. "You have three left-handed catchers. You have five DHs. You have a first baseman in and out. It's just a very difficult hand for Boone and honestly they were exposed against a much better Jays team."

Rodriguez makes some solid points. It would be hard for anyone who watched these four games between the AL East rivals to claim that the Yankees were better and fumbled the bag. But that evidence isn't going to make anyone feel better or do much to convince those who want to move on from Boone to stay the course.

Going to be a long winter. And a long season next year if Boone does stays because they're only one thing he can do to quiet the doubters.