Yankees
Having secured the top record in the American League, the New York Yankees are now tied 1-1 with the Kansas City Royals in their postseason series. After a thrilling 6-5 victory in Game 1, they faced a disappointing 4-2 loss in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. This sluggish start has raised some concerns. Their usually strong offense has stagnated, starting pitching has been unusually inconsistent, and their star player has faced difficulties. However, there is no need for panic just yet. Despite these struggles, several positives have emerged that offer a foundation for hope.
As the series moves to Kansas City for Game 3, Clarke Schmidt and Seth Lugo will take the mound for their teams. To regain momentum and advance to the ALCS, the Yankees must concentrate on three key areas.
3 Crucial Steps for the Yankees to Reach the ALCS
The Dawg is Back!
It’s evident that Alex Verdugo’s first season with the Yankees has not gone smoothly. After being named the starting left fielder just days before, he took accountability following Saturday’s win. He stated, “Fans booing me, fans getting on me, I understand it. I was booing myself too…You can make up for a lot of things in the playoffs.”
This mindset appears to be working for the 28-year-old, who delivered a game-winning RBI single in Game 1. Even when not hitting, Verdugo has secured his spot in the lineup thanks to his outstanding defense.
A significant blunder by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the fourth inning of Game 2 could have changed the game. By not cutting off Verdugo’s throw on Garret Hampson’s single, Chisholm allowed a run to score and another runner to advance, ultimately resulting in an additional run. Such avoidable errors are particularly damaging in the postseason. Anthony Volpe’s mistake in Game 1 also nearly led to disaster for New York, emphasizing the urgent need for defensive improvement.
To gain control of the series, the Yankees must solidify their defense. As the saying goes, “defense wins championships.” Addressing these lapses will be crucial in their quest for the ALCS.
Starters Must Step Up
The Yankees’ bullpen has thrown 9 1/3 innings over the first two games, reflecting the performances of the starters. Gerrit Cole had an atypical but decent outing in Game 1, giving up three earned runs over five innings, while Rodon allowed four runs in the fourth inning of Game 2, which the Yankees couldn’t recover from. It’s essential for both starters and the bullpen to go deep into games during the postseason, and neither was able to accomplish this.
Aaron Boone has named Schmidt as the starter for Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium, choosing experience over rookie Luis Gil. Schmidt’s ability to pitch deep into games is vital, especially after the bullpen’s heavy workload in the first two games. Although Schmidt has only exceeded six innings twice in 16 starts, he has established himself as a dependable starter this season. If he can deliver a quality performance and give the Yankees a chance to win on Wednesday, the offense should be able to take advantage. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon possibly pitching in Games 4 and 5, the Yankees’ rotation is positioned to regain its momentum. If Schmidt sets a strong tone, the Yankees’ offense should easily secure a spot in the ALCS.
The Captain Has to Rally
The ongoing narrative about Aaron Judge’s postseason hitting struggles continues, and unfortunately, the Yankees’ captain has not done much to change it. Judge now holds the highest strikeout percentage in postseason history (minimum 200 plate appearances), and his performance at the plate has been concerning. Despite getting hittable pitches, Judge has not capitalized, leaving the Yankees hoping for more from their superstar. This slump is particularly critical as the team depends heavily on his contributions.
The statistics are telling: when Judge records at least one RBI, the Yankees boast a record of 54-18. His presence in the lineup is transformative, and his influence extends beyond numbers. Judge’s prowess positively impacts the entire lineup. Juan Soto’s strong postseason start (three hits in Game 1) has helped alleviate Judge’s struggles, but the Yankees need their captain to lead by example. It’s time for Judge to find his rhythm and energize the offense. When he plays like a captain, the team rallies.
