The Yankees had already secured their spot in the postseason before their series finale against the Pirates, and they carried that momentum to close out the regular season in dominant fashion. A commanding 10-1 win over the Orioles clinched the AL East crown, with Gerrit Cole delivering a masterful performance, allowing just one solo home run, while Giancarlo Stanton powered the offense. This season-ending victory is a stark contrast to last year when the Yankees missed the playoffs entirely, but now they’re set for the ALDS.
Home-Field advantage through ALCS
With Cleveland dropping two games to Houston, the Yankees locked up the top seed in the American League and ensured home-field advantage through the ALCS. Clinching early against the Pirates allowed New York to keep their key players healthy while finishing strong against Baltimore. Now, the Bronx Bombers head into October with all the tools to make a deep playoff run, supported by the significant edge of playing at home throughout the AL playoffs.
ALDS Opponent: Orioles or Royals
The Yankees will face either the Orioles or the Royals in the ALDS. Baltimore is locked in as the No. 4 seed, while the Royals claimed the No. 5 seed after a tiebreaker win over Detroit. The ALDS begins on October 5 at Yankee Stadium.
ALDS schedule for Yankees
| Game | Date | Location | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Oct 5 | Yankee Stadium | TBS |
| 2 | Mon, Oct 7 | Yankee Stadium | TBS |
| 3 | Wed, Oct 9 | Camden Yards/Kauffman Stadium | TBS |
| 4* | Thu, Oct 10 | Camden Yards/Kauffman Stadium | TBS |
| 5* | Sat, Oct 12 | Yankee Stadium | TBS |
| if necessary |
Playoff Rotation and Roster Decisions
The Yankees’ rotation for the ALDS is expected to feature Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Luis Gil for the first three games. Clarke Schmidt will be available from the bullpen, ready to step in if needed. With Nestor Cortes sidelined due to an elbow injury, the Yankees have recalled rookie Ben Rice, who could see action in the series if Anthony Rizzo doesn’t recover in time.
The road ahead
If the Yankees advance past the ALDS, the American League Championship Series will start on October 14, with scheduled off-days on October 16 and 20. The Yankees are focused on finalizing their roster and ensuring players are rested for a potential championship run.
For now, Yankees fans can circle October 5 on their calendars, as the Bronx Bombers kick off their playoff journey at home, hoping to bring another title back to New York.
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