MLB Network analyst Ryan Dempster talks Yankees and Red Sox struggles and whether he will return to baseball with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Are you surprised by the Yankees’ so-so start?
A: It shows you the importance of starting pitching. And you’ve also lost (Mark) Teixeira for a little while, and not having Robinson Cano, probably one of the top three players in baseball, obviously hurts. CC Sabathia has been out, but luckily (Masahiro) Tanaka is stepping up big.
Q: Can Tanaka keep up his current pace?
A: He’s real good, and it’s due to the fact that he throws the ball in the bottom half of the strike zone. When I was throwing the split and keeping my pitches low, those would be my best games. Now, they have to swing at those pitches and fight those pitches off. Then on top of that, you have the splitter bottoming out and that’s where you get a lot of swings and misses.
Q: You played with Alfonso Soriano on the Cubs, Do the Yankees have to be patient with him despite his struggles?
A: Soriano is one of the best teammates I ever had. When he gets hot, it’s like the surface of the sun. It’s just so impressive to watch, so I think he is the kind of guy you have to let him work through the cold streak because he will carry you when he’s hot.
Q: What’s wrong with the Red Sox?
A: It’s inconsistency. You see the 10-game losing streak and a five-game losing streak. Now, you can’t afford any more of those. The talent is definitely there, you have to go out there and play well. With two wild-card spots, you always have a chance.
Q: You haven’t officially retired. Is there a chance you return to the game?
A: I’ll look back at the end of this season and see where I am at physically and mentally and make a decision then. I don’t want to look too far ahead and just enjoy it. Not playing is an adjustment, but it’s been great, it’s really nice to have this free time and spend time with my kids.