A year ago, the New York Yankees found themselves in a disappointing position, knocked out of playoff contention with a week left in the regular season. This abrupt end halted their impressive streak of six consecutive postseason appearances, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans and players alike. Reflecting on that moment, the Yankees knew they needed to come back stronger, and the feeling of clinching a playoff spot with more than a week to spare this season is all the more satisfying.
"We're better this year, no doubt about it," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, his excitement evident as he spoke about the team's journey. "Health has been a big factor, but it's also the determination from guys who had tough seasons last year. We're just a more complete team, and we’ve got the chance to do something really special." Boone's optimism is hard to miss, especially considering the rough year they had in 2023. The Yankees were far from the powerhouse they’ve been known to be, but now, they’ve regained that aura of invincibility, giving hope for a deep playoff run.
With a thrilling 2-1 extra-innings win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night, the Yankees secured their spot in the 2024 postseason. Nestor Cortes, who threw six shutout innings in the game, couldn’t hide his emotions. "Last year was rough. Missing the playoffs really hurt," said Cortes, as champagne flowed freely in the jubilant Yankees clubhouse, players dousing each other in beer and bubbly. The scene was electric, a stark contrast to the disappointment of the previous season. "This year, coming into spring training, we had one goal in mind – make the playoffs. We’ve done that, and now we’ve got our eyes set on the World Series."
Currently sitting atop the American League with an impressive 89-63 record, the Yankees lead the second-place Baltimore Orioles by five games in the AL East, with just 10 games left to play. Clinching a playoff berth means they’ve at least locked up a wild card, but this team has bigger goals in mind. For Yankees fans, this is nothing new – after all, it’s the 59th time the franchise has reached the postseason, the most in Major League Baseball history. However, there's a nagging desire to end the championship drought that stretches back to 2009, when the Yankees claimed their 27th World Series title.
Injuries were a significant problem for the Yankees last year, and it’s what ultimately cost them their playoff spot. September 24, 2023, marked the day they were mathematically eliminated from contention. It was a season full of struggles, including key players missing time due to injury. The absence from October baseball was a harsh reminder of how fleeting success can be. It was the first time since 2016 that the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs, a year when a young Aaron Judge had barely broken into the majors, with just 27 games under his belt.
Fast forward to today, and the Yankees are heading back to the playoffs, with Judge now one of the most feared hitters in the game. He’s the clear favorite for the American League MVP, and his 2024 campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. Judge has smashed 53 home runs, driven in 136 RBIs, and been the leader this team needed after the disappointment of last year. But he’s not doing it alone. Another star, Juan Soto, has also been pivotal to the Yankees' success this season. Together, these two sluggers have made the Yankees an offensive juggernaut.
Soto’s contributions can’t be overstated. Just recently, in Tuesday’s game against the Mariners, he hit his 40th home run of the season, a milestone he had never reached before. At just 25 years old, Soto also hit the 200th home run of his career, an achievement that will make him the top free agent this offseason. His partnership with Judge has been a sight to behold for Yankees fans and a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Their performance will likely dictate how far the Yankees can go in this year’s postseason.
Aaron Judge is equally excited about the opportunity. "Last year was tough, missing out on the postseason," Judge admitted. "But this is what we play for. We came into this season with one goal: get to the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to win the World Series. This is just step one, though. We’ve still got work to do."
The Yankees now have their sights set on securing the AL East title, which is within their grasp thanks to a recent slump by the Orioles. The gap in the division race has widened, giving the Yankees a bit of breathing room heading into the final 10 games of the season. There’s still a crucial series against Baltimore in the Bronx next week, but if the Yankees can stay focused, the drama may be taken out of that showdown.
"The goal is to win the division," Soto emphasized. "That’s what we’re aiming for. We want to go into the playoffs as AL East champs, and we’re going to finish the season strong." For a team like the Yankees, who thrive on momentum, closing out the season on a high note is essential. After wrapping up their series in Seattle, they’ll head to Oakland for three games, hoping it’ll be their last road trip for a while.
The Yankees' starting pitching depth is another reason for optimism. Beyond the brilliance of Cortes, they’ve gotten solid contributions from the rest of the rotation, which could be the key to a long playoff run. With the offense led by Judge and Soto, and the pitching staff firing on all cylinders, this team has the potential to go all the way.
And let’s not forget the stakes for the Yankees' fanbase. The desire to win another World Series is palpable. It’s been over a decade since the franchise celebrated their 27th title, and this year, they have all the pieces in place to end that drought. With their rich postseason history and a roster built for October baseball, the Yankees are gearing up for what could be a special run.
Boone summed it up perfectly: "This team has a chance to do something really special this year. We’ve worked hard to get here, and now it’s time to finish the job."
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