Are the New York Yankees real?
The Bronx Bombers rode an eleven-game winning streak to this series with the Oakland A's. They are one of their main rivals for an American League wild card spot. This was their longest winning streak in a decade. They had also swept a series against the Red Sox to surpass Boston in the AL East, and thus take the lead in the wild-card race.
They extended their winning streak to 13 -- their longest since 1961 -- before being beaten by the A's Saturday. The Yankees were still the AL's most dominant team in the second-half.
Will we see more of this inconsistent team we saw in the first-half? This question was posed to ESPN's baseball experts Joon Lee, David Schoenfield and they were able to give their opinions on where the Yankees will end up this season.
The Bronx has been a rollercoaster ride thus far. We have one reason to believe that the second-half-hot Yankees version is the real Yankees. And one reason it's a complete mirage.
Lee: Everyone is feeling better and the team is starting to see the benefits. At the trade deadline, Brian Cashman's most important accomplishment was to reestablish the Yankees’ depth. The Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout proved that a team with a high-powered roster is not able to win baseball. Although the Yankees were a team that had both depth and star power going into the season, it appeared as though the two would never be able to work together for success. They are at the moment.
It feels like the Yankees and Red Sox had their seasons reversed. The Yankees were unable to match Boston's success in the first half. It has been the reverse, with the teams swapping places in the standings. The inconsistent nature of the Tampa Bay Rays' first-place finish is something they haven’t been this season. New York, however, has demonstrated that it can be both extremes on any given day. We don't know who will be there, despite the Yankees' second half success.
Schoenfield: Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo and other left-handed batters were a welcome addition to the lineup. They also added some much-needed swagger. The Yankees seemed to be sinking in their mediocrity, expectations and lack of success. They were averaging.235/.323/.394 through July 29, which coincided with Rizzo's debut game on July 30. The Yankees are now 23-5 and have hit.249/.337/.436 in 28 games.
Also, the pitching has improved. They lost 14-0 to Rays on July 29 -- Gerrit Cole had started. This was undoubtedly the lowest point of the season. In the 23-5 period, they have a 2.77 ERA and their opponents average 3.18 runs per game. They were able to do much of this without Cole, who was out for two weeks with COVID IL.
Pitching and hitting are two reasons why this surge isn't a fluke. The bullpen has been 12-2 over 28 games with a 2.09 ERA and an average of nearly four innings per game. Is it able to keep up with the heavy workload?
Which Yankee will win the most?
Lee: While Luis Severino and Corey Kluber could make a big difference in the Yankees' chances of a strong postseason run, the return of third baseman Gio Urushela could also be a game changer. Urshela, who has been out for nearly a month due to a hamstring injury has just returned. He has been an integral player for the Bronx Bombers the past two seasons. Although Urshela isn't as effective in 2021, he strikes out at a faster clip than in 2020 and 2019, the Yankees' lineup should look even better down the stretch if he can hit more like Urshela.
Schoenfield: Aroldis Chapman remains a concern in the ninth. Aaron Boone had the unfortunate task of pulling him from two save opportunities, and Lucas Luetge (and Wandy Peralta) had to take over for the final out. Boone will need to save Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga if Chapman isn't trustworthy. This affects all the other innings. Chapman is the best Yankees team. They've been great despite Chapman's ineptness, but it's not a recipe to be successful in October.
What will the Yankees do this season?
Lee: I think they'll make the playoffs as a Wild Card, but I doubt that they'll have the consistency to make the World Series.
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Red Sox-Rays, 7 p.m. on ESPN Sunday, Sept. 5
Dodgers-Giants, 7:05 p.m. ESPN
Schoenfield: While the lineup is better than before, how does it compare to those in Houston, Tampa Bay or Chicago? I am not convinced. Although Gallo and Rizzo provide left-handed balance in the lineup, I believe this is one you could match up against in a postseason series. Bring in a lefty to take on the Rizzo/Aaron Judge/Gallo section of the lineup and then bring in a righty to sweep down the bottom. They do have an ace in Cole, and the White Sox are looking more vulnerable lately. Houston is my favorite team -- the Yankees may meet the Astros during the division series.
What would that mean for Aaron Boone, the Yankees' manager? What impact could this have on the offseason plans of the team?
Lee: This would depend on how the Yankees leave. Boone must take the blame for how the team performed in the early stages, but he deserves credit for turning things around. Given the struggles of Gleyber Torres this season, and with Trevor Story, a marquee shortstop, I'm interested in how the Yankees will approach his future.
Schoenfield After disappointing losses to the Red Sox in 2018 and the Astros in 2019, I don't believe a wildcard is sufficient. Boone may have to win the AL in order to return to pinstripes by 2022.
We'll be watching how the new CBA works out, and how willing the Yankees are to pay the luxury tax (if any) next year. Joon is right. They will have a new shortstop next year. The question remains whether Torres moves to second base or is traded for prospects/pitching aid. They should become more athletic (Gallo assists in that regard), and a good two way player like Story, with his power and defense, is a great fit. Aaron Hicks remains under contract but it might be worth looking for a new centerfielder.
