Watch: Juan Soto comes off the bench, powers Yankees to victory with game-changing double

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Juan Soto wasn’t in the Yankees’ starting lineup against the Athletics due due to lingering knee discomfort, a decision that kept him out until late in the game. The knee issue followed a sliding catch during the Yankees’ loss to the Mariners, but when Juan Soto finally entered the game, he made his presence felt. The Yankees ultimately secured a 4-2 victory, marking their 90th win of the season.

Late in the doubleheader opener, Juan Soto ripped a double to deep left, breaking a 1-1 tie and putting the Yankees ahead, 3-1. The ball jumped off his bat with such authority that it left fans questioning why he hadn’t started the game. As Jon Berti pinch-ran for him, Juan Soto jogged off to high-fives from his teammates, proving that even in limited action, his impact was undeniable.

The sliding catch on Thursday cost Juan Soto a start in Friday’s game, but not the entire night. Despite being scratched from the initial lineup due to swelling and soreness in his knee, which he had banged against the wall at T-Mobile Park, he was called upon in the 10th inning. True to form, Juan Soto drilled an RBI double that brought in the game-winning run, giving the Yankees the victory over the Athletics at the Coliseum.

Aaron Boone’s tactical move pays off

X-rays on Juan Soto’s knee were negative, but the swelling and soreness persisted, leading Yankees manager Aaron Boone to err on the side of caution by keeping him on the bench to start the game. “Just feel like it’s the best thing to hold him out tonight,” Boone said before the game. He later expressed confidence that it wasn’t a long-term concern, labeling it as a day-to-day issue. “Not overly concerned about it long-term,” Boone added. “Hopefully he’s even available tonight in some capacity.” Juan Soto, focused on helping the team win, brushed aside concerns about his looming free agency, saying, “When I go in those lines, I forget about everything. I literally just focus on the game.”

The situation evoked memories of Aaron Judge’s injury last June when he crashed into the wall at Dodger Stadium. Juan Soto admitted to being worried when he first felt the pain in his knee, but as the game progressed, the discomfort began to fade. “I was really worried,” Juan Soto said Thursday. “But after a couple of innings, the pain started to go down.”

The Yankees are taking no chances, knowing that Juan Soto’s health is crucial as they make their final push into the postseason.

Aaron Boone’s decision to use Juan Soto off the bench proved to be the spark the Yankees needed. In a game that stretched into the tenth inning, Boone called on his star, and Juan Soto delivered the win. It’s the kind of performance Yankees fans have come to expect from the superstar slugger since his arrival in the Bronx. Every big swing feels like it validates the front office’s decision to pull the trigger on one of the most talked-about trades of the offseason.

The Yankees officially clinched a postseason berth earlier this week, and there’s growing confidence that this squad could be poised for a deep October run. With Soto at the heart of the offense, the Bronx Bombers are no longer the inconsistent team of last year. They’re a legitimate threat again, and Vegas odds now have them as one of the favorites to lift the World Series trophy.

Juan Soto’s future in Pinstripes remains uncertain

But despite Juan Soto’s heroics and the optimism surrounding the Yankees, there’s a cloud hanging over the future. Soto, one of the game’s generational talents, will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the Yankees will have a massive decision to make. Losing a player of Soto’s caliber after just one year in pinstripes would be a brutal blow. He’s already solidified himself as an irreplaceable part of this lineup. Letting him walk could undo everything the Yankees have worked toward.

According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Juan Soto is expected to command a historic contract—likely exceeding $500 million. That’s the kind of deal that changes the trajectory of a franchise. Yankees fans have already seen what life is like with Soto in the middle of their lineup. The idea of watching him suit up for another team is almost unthinkable.

All eyes on October

For now, though, the focus remains on this postseason. With 40 home runs in the regular season and countless moments like tonight’s against Oakland, Soto has been every bit as advertised. He’s come through in the clutch, and Yankees fans can’t help but wonder how many more magic moments he has left in store this October.

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