kyle higashioka

Poker players will tell you that you are only as good as the hand you are dealt. Major League managers will privately tell you the same thing. Seasoned big league skippers, at times, know when to push the right buttons to get their teams going. New York Yankees top dog Aaron Boone did a terrific job pushing some key buttons this weekend that may have resulted in wins but, more importantly, are crucial for the Yankees long-term success.

So many things have to go right for a good team to beat another good team in Major League Baseball. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is faced with two of his strong defensive positions, shortstop and catcher, being light on the offensive side. Going into Thursday night's game, shortstop Isaiah Kiner-Filefa and catcher Kyle Higashioka were a combined 2 for 35 on the season.

Gary Sanchez was the New York Yankees catcher that came into each spring training with an upper-hand on the starting job. Each year, subsequently it seemed like Sanchez played himself out of the starting job or was hurt. 3 weeks ago the player that general manager Brian Cashman referred to as 'The Kraken' was packaged with Gio Urshela and sent to Minnesota. With that move, an opportunity knocked behind the plate.