Yankees’ playoff hopes intact despite first loss to Cardinals since 1964

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As September begins, the Yankees hold the top spot in the AL East—a position Aaron Boone and his squad would have gladly taken at the start of the season. Yet, their path to the division lead, where they hold a slim half-game edge over Baltimore (pending the Orioles’ Saturday night outcome), has been anything but smooth, with the team posting a 39-38 record since early June.

After a tight 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Boone reflected on the team’s tumultuous journey. While acknowledging the challenges they’ve encountered, he stressed the importance of their current position and expressed hope that a strong finish would set the Yankees up well for October.

“It’s definitely been a grind for us, but like I’ve said, it’s right there for the taking,” the Yankees manager told after the loss. “I’m excited for this final push, and hopefully, we’ll set ourselves up to get to play in October.”

With a 79-57 record, the Yankees are on the cusp of securing a playoff spot, whether as division winners or through the wild card. As they head into the season’s final weeks, the roster is set for minor and potentially game-changing adjustments. One key move could be Anthony Rizzo’s return to the lineup, which could happen as soon as Sunday, aligning with MLB’s roster expansion by two players.

Yankees to get Dominguez and pitching boost

After Saturday’s game, the Yankees optioned Ben Rice and Will Warren to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with manager Aaron Boone noting that final decisions on Sunday’s roster additions were still up in the air.

Among the rumored moves is the potential promotion of switch-hitting center fielder Jasson Dominguez, which could impact Alex Verdugo‘s playing time as he struggles with a .232 average. Dominguez’s arrival might also jeopardize Trent Grisham’s spot on the roster. Grisham, who is hitting just .182, started in center on Saturday but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

On the injury front, reliever Ian Hamilton, recovering from a lat strain, was sidelined by back spasms, causing him to miss his scheduled rehab outing on Friday. Boone downplayed the setback, suggesting Hamilton could still be activated soon.

Pitchers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, both recovering from injuries, are also making progress. Schmidt, rehabbing a lat strain, is slated for another minor league start on Monday, while Gil, working back from a back strain, is set to pitch on Sunday. Both could be options for the Yankees’ upcoming series at Wrigley Field.

When asked about the possibility of moving to a six-man rotation, Boone remained noncommittal, stating that while it’s a consideration, no decisions have been finalized.

First Yankees’Bronx loss to Cardinals in 60 years

The St. Louis Cardinals snapped a lengthy drought in the Bronx on Saturday, earning their first regular-season win at Yankee Stadium since Game 5 of the 1964 World Series, when Hall of Famer Bob Gibson secured the victory. In a twist of irony, Saturday’s win was credited to Kyle Gibson, a veteran right-hander who shares the same surname but no relation to the Cardinals legend. Gibson delivered a stellar performance, holding the Yankees to one run over seven innings.

Yankees rookie Will Warren struggled in his outing, especially during a rocky third inning that unraveled after a failed double play attempt. Anthony Volpe hesitated on a relay throw, missing an opportunity to end the inning. Moments later, Brendan Donovan exploited the short porch in right field, launching a three-run homer. Control issues exacerbated Warren’s woes, as he allowed three walks across four innings.

Reflecting on his performance, Warren emphasized the critical need for precise pitch location at the major league level, acknowledging that limiting mistakes is key. He noted how costly minor errors can be in this unforgiving environment.

“You’ve got to know where you can miss, in the zone and out of the zone,” the Yankees rookie said. “These guys are good at what they do, [so you have to] minimize mistakes and minimize damage as much as possible.”

While Warren’s immediate future likely involves more time in the minors, the experience gained from his recent big-league stint could be valuable as he eyes a potential role on the Yankees’ pitching staff in 2025. For now, the focus remains on the team’s September stretch and their ambitions for a postseason run in October.

“We’re sitting atop the division,” Boone said. “We have a chance to win a series tomorrow, though you can’t get too far ahead of yourself, either.”

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