BRONX, NY — The Yankees can win the AL East and overtake the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx next week in what is described as that crucial three-game series. Sunday their first place lead expanded to three-games with their 5-2 win over the Red Sox and Orioles’ 4-2 loss to the Tigers.
Yankees (87-63)
Orioles (84-66)
Neck-and-neck they have been. The three-game lead is the largest since mid July. Either way, both will be postseason bound either as division winner or top seed AL Wild Card. The division winner though guarantees that first round bye and positions managers to get a better handle on the starting rotation in a best-of-five divisional series matchup.
“We can do something special,” Gleyber Torres said after hitting another home run in the leadoff spot.”We’re really focused, everybody is on the same page right now.”
Gleyber Torres has stepped up in a big way for the Yanks when it comes to the lead-off role – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
He referred to the Yankees upcoming six-game late season west coast trip that takes them to Seattle and Oakland beginning Tuesday evening, not good for a team fighting for a division title down the stretch. But the Yankees don’t make the schedule and neither do the Orioles so it’s in both teams hands.
Torres, a catalyst now in the leadoff position and the Yankees most consistent hitter said, “Let’s see after the West coast series where we are.”
The upcoming schedule for the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore:
San Francisco Giants (72-78) – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Detroit Tigers (77-73) 2.5 games behind for 3rd AL Wild Card – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
The Orioles are young and struggling to gain momentum. Sunday afternoon they lost a series finale to the Tigers, 4-2. Though 24-year old rookie Cade Povich in his 14th career start struck out eight in five innings and allowed two hits finishing a 2-4 road trip.
Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, and Jackson Holliday of the O’s during the national anthem – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Regardless, the Yankees have momentum as they enter their stretch of the final two weeks. Baseball and momentum go together, another example of the Rangers and Diamondbacks last year and two last standing in late October with a 2023 World Series.
And either team with a winning streak can take the division, so if the gap does not widen for the Yankees before the Orioles arrive in the Bronx next week, the division could be determined in the three-game series. Now is the time to start believing in the magic number and for the Yankees to clinch a playoff spot that has come down to three.
The Yankees, though with momentum and Aaron Judge is hitting home runs again after a drought. Number 53 Sunday against the Red Sox and second time with 50 or more in the Yankees first 150 games.
Aaron Judge now has 53 home runs on the season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“We’ve had our share, I feel like of some gut wrenching losses and tough losses,” said manager Aaron Boone after the Yankees collapsed on Saturday, though they took three-of-four against their rivals in the Bronx.
He said about his team: “These guys have done a great job of really bouncing back in a lot of cases.”
However there could be a letdown on this upcoming road trip. The Mariners are still vying for playoff position, though with faint hopes. The Oakland A’s young and spoilers, playing their final games at the Coliseum, the Yankees the last team they oppose as a franchise before their temporary move to Sacramento.
The Yankees know how previous west coast swings have bitten their faith. It’s a late trip to the west coast and a division crown they are fighting to take. Regardless, they are ready and feel momentum is on their side before returning home to oppose the Orioles for what will probably decide who takes the AL East crown.
Anthony Volpe completes a double play during Orioles-Yankees this past June at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
A bit of redemption for the Yankees, a team with some new faces that still feel the bitterness of not making the postseason last year, one that GM Brian Cashman said was a season of disaster.
A rebound for starter Carlos Rodón, 5-½ innings, two runs, six hits, and two walks Sunday afternoon. If the Yankees pitching rotation lives up to expectations, they are at an advantage if Judge does not hit the home run ball or Juan Soto does not get on base.
Carlos Rodón (2021 AL LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year), recorded his 15th victory of the 2024 season on Sunday against the Red Sox in the Bronx – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The remainder of the lineup, of course, is also significant and at times during this completed homestand against the Royals and Red Sox, they failed to score with runners in scoring position. And Boone for now has a closer by committee with Clay Holmes in a late inning bullpen role. Ian Hamilton got the Yankees out of a jam, Tim Hill, Jake Cousins, Holmes, and Tommy Kahnle got the game-ending double play for the save.
The Yankees bullpen lowered their ERA to 1.16 over their past 10 games after 3-½ scoreless innings, significant work down the stretch. They will need that if starters don’t provide length. More so against the Orioles who also have their share of bullpen issues that have hindered them all season.
Next week’s three-game series in the Bronx between the Orioles and Yankees may decide the AL East division – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Torres said the Yankees can do something special. These final two weeks will determine if this holds to be true. Then again, the Orioles have a schedule in their favor and won’t hit the canvas. Something says next week at Yankee Stadium it will be more like October baseball.
Rich Mancuso is senior writer and contributor Latinosports.com – X (Twitter): @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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