Yankees playoff roundup: MLB ranks third, Judge’s challenge, Verdugo’s fear

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As the postseason nears, Major League Baseball has released its power rankings, placing the New York Yankees in an impressive third overall spot and the highest-ranked team in the American League. Only the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers rank higher in the 2024 World Series chase.

The Yankees earned their place by finishing the regular season with a 94-68 record, the best in the AL, marking a return to the playoffs after missing out in 2023.

The team’s strength has been a well-balanced attack. Offensively, they ranked third in OPS and led the league in home runs while topping the AL in runs scored. On the mound, the Yankees were also formidable, finishing sixth in ERA, fifth in opponents’ batting average, and fourth in strikeouts. They also ranked in the top 10 in WHIP, underscoring their pitching depth.

Their postseason path begins with a matchup against the winner of the American League Wild Card series between the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals. In the rankings, the Orioles sit in eighth place, while the Royals hold the lowest spot among playoff contenders.

Throughout the season, the Yankees showcased remarkable consistency, never dropping below seventh place in any of the 24 power polls conducted by MLB.

As the AL Division Series kicks off this Saturday, the Yankees are poised as one of the leading contenders for the World Series crown, buoyed by their strong regular-season showing and balanced roster.

Can Judge end playoff slump and save Yankees’ hopes?

As the New York Yankees gear up for the postseason, all eyes are on Aaron Judge, whose remarkable 2024 campaign has placed him firmly in the MVP conversation and among the all-time greats in Major League Baseball. Yet, with the postseason comes a reset, where even the most dominant players face a fresh set of challenges.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently highlighted Judge’s playoff history as one of the key narratives heading into October. Rosenthal noted that despite Judge’s historic 62-home run season in 2022, his last playoff appearance was underwhelming. He went just 1-for-16 in the American League Championship Series as the Yankees were swept by the Houston Astros.

Judge’s postseason numbers overall tell a mixed story. Across nearly 200 plate appearances, he’s posted a .211 batting average and a .310 on-base percentage, alongside 13 home runs. However, his playoff home run rate (one every 15.2 plate appearances) lags behind his regular-season pace (one every 13.7 plate appearances), raising questions about his ability to perform when it matters most.

Rosenthal draws comparisons between Judge and Barry Bonds, who faced early postseason struggles before eventually shedding that label. He suggests that Judge, like Bonds, could silence critics if given enough chances in October. However, the Yankees’ lineup beyond Juan Soto remains a concern, potentially adding pressure on Judge to deliver.

For Judge, this postseason offers a dual opportunity: to push the Yankees toward a World Series title and to rewrite the narrative of his playoff performance. If successful, it could solidify his place as a Yankees legend.

As the Yankees begin their playoff journey, Judge’s ability to carry his regular-season success into the postseason will be one of the most compelling storylines for fans and analysts alike.

Verdugo fears being rusted

In a surprising twist, rest has become a concern for MLB teams since the introduction of the Wild Card series in 2022. While a five-day break might seem beneficial after a grueling 162-game season, it has often disrupted momentum for top-seeded teams. The New York Yankees, despite bucking this trend in the past, remain cautious about the potential downsides of the extended rest period, as outfielder Alex Verdugo acknowledged.

Since 2022, only three of the eight teams granted a first-round bye have advanced past the Division Series. The Yankees triumphed in 2022, while the Houston Astros managed to win both in 2022 and 2023. This pattern has prompted the Yankees to intensify their training during the break to avoid losing their edge.

Verdugo likened the five-day layoff to the All-Star break, underscoring the challenge of staying sharp. He emphasized the importance of the team’s preparation leading up to the ALDS to counter any potential drawbacks of the extended rest.

“It’s a little bit tougher,” he explained. “It’s kind of like another All-Star break, so we’re just going to have to do a good job on Tuesday and the next couple days before the ALDS.” 

For Verdugo, the break is especially concerning given his up-and-down season. He began the year strong but struggled mightily from June to August, with his batting average dipping far below expectations. Though he made some improvements in September after switching gloves, he’s still searching for consistency. The long layoff could disrupt any momentum he’s built in recent weeks.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone shares Verdugo’s concern. He recognizes the need for the team to stay focused and maintain their intensity during the break to ensure they’re ready for the postseason’s high stakes.

This situation underscores the delicate balance teams must strike between rest and keeping their competitive rhythm in a postseason landscape altered by the Wild Card series.

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