As the 2023 season reaches its midway point, the injury-plagued Yankees are on the verge of slipping out of contention for the playoffs in the American League. The question arises: do the New York Yankees face the risk of missing out on the postseason? Regrettably, the answer is a resounding yes.
The Yankees’ fate in the playoff race depends on a combination of outcomes. For instance, had the Mets lost to the Astros on Monday night, Houston would have replaced the Yankees from the playoff picture, seizing control of the third and final Wild Card spot.
To make matters worse, Yankees manager Aaron Boone appears indifferent to the fans’ frustrations during this rough patch for the Bronx-based club.
Presently, this team does not appear deserving of a postseason berth. Suffering from a four-game losing streak, the Yankees have managed a measly 4-8 record since Aaron Judge injured his toe while colliding with the right-field wall in Los Angeles. They now find themselves 10 1/2 games behind in the AL East, facing their most significant season deficit thus far.
What is happening to the Yankees?
Since Judge’s injury, the Yankees have exhibited the poorest offense in baseball. Their batting average (.195), on-base percentage (.255), weighted runs created plus (wRC+, 64), and total runs scored (39) rank dead last.
While there may be some hope for the offense, as center fielder Harrison Bader returns from the injured list, offering a potential spark as the team begins a six-game homestand against the Mariners and the first-place Rangers, it is a different story for the Yankees’ starting rotation. The rotation has escaped significant criticism recently, mainly due to the offense’s struggles. With a 4.37 ERA, the Yankees starters are tied for 14th in Major League Baseball. This rotation had entered spring training with the promise of being the league’s best.
This week presents a critical juncture for the team’s pitching staff, which could either inject a surge of optimism for the second half of the season. Carlos Rodon, who begins his rehab assignment on Tuesday for Double-A Somerset, will be making his first in-game appearance since suffering a forearm injury during spring training on March 5. While signs point to a productive step forward for Rodón, concerns linger about his chronic back issues and how his stuff will hold up after months on the sidelines.
Simultaneously, Nestor Cortes and his shoulder strain face a pivotal week. The left-hander played catch for the first time since landing on the injured list, but the actual test will be how he feels the following day, given Monday’s off day.
The Yankees are banking on Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes to deliver their potential in the second half of the season. With Luis Severino’s recent struggles, the team is inclined to utilize ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes at the forefront of a possible postseason rotation.
Nevertheless, there remain several question marks. Can Domingo German bounce back from his recent poor performance against the Red Sox after being a reliable pitcher earlier? Will Clarke Schmidt sustain his recent success, boasting a 2.56 ERA in his last six starts? Will Randy Vásquez continue to excel in Cortes’ absence, or will the Yankees turn to Jhony Brito for an opening or two?
The coming weeks will determine whether they can overcome their challenges and salvage their postseason aspirations or if they will be left to ponder what could have been.
What do you think? Leave your comment below!
The fault lies with steinbrenner he more concerned with the money aspect than about building a winning team. They went out and signed second rate players who they thought there past good seasons would appear again once they became a yankee. How’d that work out????
Everyone on this team with the exception of Judge and Cole are either over the hill,average or just plain suck. They need a complete makeover. And does anyone trust Brian Cashman to do this when he’s never done it before. The 90’s Yankees were all Bob Watson and gene Michael. Like every real Yankee fan knows , clean house! Especially Cashman and Boone. And I truly doubt any team will ever hire these two inept managers ever they are both proven losers.