Optimism filled the air in New York as the second-place team in the AL East rolled into the Bronx. But once play began, that hopeful outlook quickly dimmed.
Initial assessments, including from this source, had praised the Yankees’ strong performance and their unusual streak of good health. However, the series against Baltimore swiftly challenged those glowing evaluations.
The Orioles, despite their perceived slump, clinched a playoff berth in Tuesday’s opener. They followed that with a gritty 9-7 win on Wednesday, prompting scattered frustration from fans at Yankee Stadium.
Baltimore appeared unfazed by the New York stage, flexing their offensive muscle. Anthony Santander hammered a home run off the foul pole, and Colton Cowser blasted one deep into the seats during Tuesday’s contest. The Orioles kept the pressure on Wednesday, opening with five consecutive singles, at least one of which might have been playable.
Despite a late surge from the Yankees—highlighted by Aaron Judge’s 57th home run of the season—they couldn’t close the gap left by early miscues and missed opportunities.
Statistically, these two games likely won’t impact the bigger picture. The Yankees still hold a 99.3 percent chance of clinching the division, assuming the final seven critical games play out evenly.
The Yankees remain a powerhouse in the American League, bolstered by a high payroll, star-studded lineup, deep rotation, and an often-overlooked bullpen. Health, a common concern in prior September, has been relatively favorable this season.
However, the recent struggles against Baltimore raise the question of whether these performances could be a warning sign as the postseason looms. When asked about his concerns, manager Aaron Boone declined to name any specific issues, perhaps a reflection of the team’s lack of glaring weaknesses and Boone’s diplomatic style.
With the Yankees’ magic number still at one and champagne on ice, it’s time to take a closer look at potential concerns and rank them as the playoffs approach.
Cortes’ elbow shock for Yankees
The Yankees’ run of near-flawless health took a hit with the news of Nestor Cortes dealing with arm discomfort. After feeling tightness on Sunday, an MRI on Wednesday revealed a flexor tendon issue, forcing Cortes to rest for 7-10 days.
Manager Aaron Boone offered a cautious outlook, only suggesting that Cortes could potentially return if the team makes a deep postseason run. However, the underlying message seems to be that Cortes is unlikely to pitch again this year.
While he may not have been slated for a starting role in the playoff rotation, Cortes’ absence is still notable. The left-hander, known for his grit and ability to handle high-pressure situations, would have been a valuable weapon out of the bullpen in October.
With pitching depth always critical in the postseason, Cortes’ loss hits hard. His absence rates a solid 4 out of 5 on the worry scale for New York. As the Yankees adjust their pitching plans, they’ll have to lean on other relievers to help shoulder the burden.
Left-field issue resurfaces
Jasson Dominguez‘s promotion initially drew praise, fueled by his raw talent and power showcased during his brief 2023 stint. Yet, after a couple of weeks, it’s becoming clearer why manager Aaron Boone may have been cautious about supplanting veteran Alex Verdugo.
Dominguez’s inexperience in left field has become more evident, particularly after a misjudged fly ball near the foul line on Wednesday, which dropped for a single. These defensive errors have surfaced in about half of the games he’s played.
Verdugo, meanwhile, continues to share playing time with Dominguez, starting in roughly half the games. Despite discovering an allergy to his batting gloves, Verdugo’s offensive struggles have lingered, as he’s only managed three hits in his last 23 at-bats.
With just four games remaining in the regular season, the competition for left field is still unresolved. Verdugo’s stronger defense keeps him in the mix despite his hitting slump, while Dominguez’s offensive upside makes him hard to ignore.
The uncertainty around left field, with its implications for both postseason offense and defense, ranks a 4 out of 5 on the worry meter. As the playoffs near, the Yankees’ coaching staff faces a tough decision: balancing Dominguez’s potential with Verdugo’s reliable glove.
Slump hits cleanup slot
The Yankees’ search for consistency in the cleanup spot led them to try catcher Austin Wells, who initially appeared to be a promising fit. Early on, Wells showed flashes of becoming a Rookie of the Year contender, particularly in a key role hitting behind star slugger Aaron Judge.
But September has been rough for Wells, whose batting average has dipped to a dismal .125 for the month. This slump has exacerbated the Yankees’ woes in the cleanup role, where they rank near the bottom of the league with a .652 OPS—fourth worst overall.
While his on-field struggles persist, Wells remains active on social media, with reports indicating his content, especially on TikTok, continues to engage fans.
Given the importance of the cleanup spot for a team eyeing the postseason, this situation rates a 3 out of 5 on the worry meter. Wells’ potential is still evident, but his current slump, combined with the overall lack of production in this critical role, may force the Yankees to explore alternatives or hope for a swift rebound as they approach the playoffs.
Yankees bullpen turns unreliable
The Yankees’ bullpen has been a bright spot in recent games, with Luke Weaver emerging as a key figure in their high-leverage relief corps. Alongside dependable arms like Tommy Kahnle, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, and possibly former closer Clay Holmes in setup duties, the relievers have consistently shut down opposing offenses.
Weaver has particularly impressed, racking up 22 strikeouts over his last 10 innings, solidifying his role as a late-inning weapon capable of generating swings and misses.
However, looming playoff matchups against teams like the Guardians or Astros could pose a challenge. Both clubs have a reputation for thriving in high-pressure situations, potentially testing the Yankees’ bullpen depth and ability to execute in tight games.
Despite these potential hurdles, the bullpen’s recent effectiveness puts the concern level at a 2 out of 5 on the worry meter. While improvements could be necessary against top-tier competition, the current performance of the relief corps provides optimism as the postseason approaches.
Torres’ gaffes threaten games
Despite manager Aaron Boone’s confidence that the Yankees have resolved their baserunning issues, Gleyber Torres remains a concern on the basepaths. Data from the YES Network shows Torres has been thrown out at home six times this season, tying him with Yandy Diaz for the most in the majors.
This is a troubling trend, especially for a leadoff hitter. Running into outs ahead of power hitters like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge can derail potential scoring opportunities, hampering the team’s ability to capitalize on the production of their top bats.
Still, Torres has had more success than failure when advancing bases, which helps ease some of the concern about his baserunning judgment. His ability to advance safely in most situations lessens the impact of his occasional over-aggressive decisions.
Given that Torres generally manages to advance more often than not, the worry meter for this baserunning issue sits at a modest 1 out of 5. While it’s a concern, particularly with Torres setting the table for the Yankees’ biggest hitters, it hasn’t been a major drag on the team’s overall performance. However, refining his decision-making could provide the Yankees a further offensive boost.
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