Up against Cubs, veteran Yankees to play keeping O’s in mind

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The New York Yankees find themselves in an unexpected position, caught between relief and frustration as the season winds down. After holding the best record in the majors at 50-22 in mid-June, the Yankees have stumbled, posting a 30-38 mark in their last 68 games. Meanwhile, their closest competitors, the Baltimore Orioles, have only managed a 36-36 record during the same stretch. This has seen New York slip from a 3.5-game lead in the AL East to trailing by half a game.

This turn of events leaves the Yankees in a precarious spot. While they remain firmly in the hunt for the division title, they’ve missed a prime opportunity to solidify their lead. With just 22 games remaining, the Yankees face the urgent task of finishing strong to keep their division hopes alive.

The shift from August into September hasn’t sparked the turnaround the Yankees hoped for. Entering a pivotal series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, they had dropped six of their last eight games, further complicating their playoff push.

Manager Aaron Boone spoke candidly about the team’s struggles and the need to capitalize on the chance still within reach. He stressed that the road to success would be challenging, urging his players to embrace an “us-against-the-world” mindset as they fight for the division crown and a postseason spot.

While their strong early-season performance provided a cushion during a midseason slump, the Yankees have yet to fully rediscover their winning formula. Though they steadied somewhat by late July, the inconsistency has persisted. Now, with the clock ticking on the regular season, the Yankees must find a way to recapture their best form and make a final push to secure their place in the postseason race.

The New York Yankees are gearing up for a critical stretch, beginning with a series against the Chicago Cubs. As they seek to stabilize their season, the team will be boosted by the return of Luis Gil, who has been activated from the injured list after a 15-day stint due to a lower back strain. Clarke Schmidt is also set to return from the IL on Saturday, adding further depth to the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Despite reinforcements, Yankees face significant hurdles

The bullpen remains a point of concern, with the team employing a closer-by-committee approach as they navigate ongoing challenges. Additionally, inconsistent outings from the starting rotation and a lack of consistent production from left fielder Alex Verdugo have hampered the team’s momentum.

Verdugo, however, remains optimistic about the team’s potential. He underscored the importance of maintaining trust within the clubhouse, expressing confidence that the Yankees can turn things around. Verdugo urged a measured approach, reminding everyone that New York have been in a tight race all season and that a few strong series could quickly change their fortunes.

The Yankees’ schedule ahead is both daunting and promising. Their opener at Wrigley Field will be their first visit to the iconic ballpark since 2017, kicking off a challenging 10-day, 10-game stretch against the Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Boston Red Sox.

After the homestand, the Yankees head west to take on the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. They will then return to New York for a crucial series against the Baltimore Orioles, which could have major implications for the AL East race, followed by a set against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This run of games will be pivotal in determining the Yankees’ postseason fate as they look to secure their spot in October.

The Yankees are entering a pivotal stretch of the season, where each game feels increasingly crucial as the postseason looms. Yet, team captain Aaron Judge is maintaining a steady perspective, emphasizing that every game, regardless of when it falls on the schedule, carries the same weight. Judge is urging his teammates to stay focused, push hard in each contest, and continue to move forward without getting overwhelmed by the moment.

The current scenario mirrors the Yankees’ 2022 campaign, where they surged to a 61-23 record by early July before a dramatic downturn saw them finish 38-48 the rest of the way. Despite the collapse, they still captured the AL East crown with a 99-63 record. This year, the Yankees face a tougher challenge from the Baltimore Orioles, who have proven more formidable than the Toronto Blue Jays were last season. However, the Orioles have been unable to pull away, keeping the Yankees’ fate in their own hands.

Manager Aaron Boone is aware of the stakes and the opportunity that lies ahead. He is calling on his team to elevate their game over the final 22 contests if they want to claim the division title. Boone emphasized the urgency of the moment, stressing the need for the Yankees to give their best effort down the stretch.

In recent roster moves, the Yankees activated Luis Gil and sent reliever Scott Effross back to Triple-A. Effross, who had returned to the majors on September 1 after recovering from Tommy John and back surgeries, made two appearances before the demotion. The decision indicates that the Yankees feel Effross needs more time to fully sharpen his skills in the minors before he can contribute effectively at the major league level again.

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