Why the Yankees Should Not Concede the AL East Division Title
The Yankees must do something that is not in this organization's nature. They must resist the urge to concede the AL East Division crown to the Toronto Blue Jays without a fight. The prize is the number one seed and a bye from the Wild Card crapshoot. Home-field advantage cannot be overstated in a playoff series. Last year, the Yankees took their foot off the gas when they won the division, but with the top seed in reach, they were content with securing the number two seed. They could consider themselves fortunate that upsets allowed the Yankees to play teams with inferior records and still lucked into home-field advantage throughout the AL portion of the postseason.
The difference this time between a division and a Wild Card is a gulf-wide. The Yankees are two games back, but in essence, three, as Toronto holds the tiebreaker with six contests remaining. The division means a bye and an opportunity to start their best two pitchers at the top of a series and any key games beyond. Home advantage also allows one to play tired teams in their environment. Yankee Stadium during the playoff season is one of the most intimidating in MLB. A Wild Card means the Yankees will play a best-of-three. If the series goes to a deciding third game, they will have to bet their season on defending AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil or rookie Cam Schlittler, who has impressed since coming up from the minors with his 100-mph fastball and no-nonsense attitude.
The Yankees have done well in Wild Card games and series, minus one game against the Boston Red Sox. However, it's when New York wins division titles, as they did under manager Aaron Boone in 2019, 2022, and 2024, that they made deep runs. The results show three AL Championship appearances, one pennant, and one World Series appearance. The obvious asset that must emerge is the defending MVP, Aaron Judge, unable to throw, but diving for balls and stealing bases, doing everything expected of the captain. However, he will need a supporting cast, and the Yankees have just that.
The formula for another division crown will need to include players like Jasson Dominguez, who, even when not playing, is a threat on the bases with his elite speed. The acquisition of Jose Caballero adds speed and situational awareness. Trent Grisham, with his 33 home runs from the lead-off position, is the impact bat that works against righties and lefties alike. Ben Rice is the young player who has emerged this season with 24 home runs and 62 RBIs and must be on the field throughout this stretch run. Giancarlo Stanton and his power threaten all teams in prime time. Cody Bellinger is the all-around talent who has a knack for big moments, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the X-factor who needs to get on base while choosing when it's time to go deep. The key to any title run is running the most effective players, and these represent who should be in each of the final six games.
The Yankees have the edge of playing the final six games at home, with three each against the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto also has the final six at home, where they lead the AL with a 50-25 mark against tougher competition in the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees have to keep the pressure on, sweeping all six or taking five of six at worst, to force the Blue Jays to win the division. If Toronto wins the AL East, a tip of the cap is in order. However, if the Yankees decide to concede once again, they will also concede in the playoffs at any sign of trouble and also fall short of the goal, which is the World Series. In a season where no one has stood tall, the greatest franchise in baseball history should not concede to anyone.
