The Bronx Bombers find themselves with their backs against the wall. Down 2 games to the AL East winning Toronto Blue Jays, there is zero margin for error. Luckily for the Yanks they have two games in the Bronx to try and even this series up before it heads back to Toronto for game 5, and they have come back down 2-0 before against Cleveland in 2017 (shoutout Greg Bird). But after being outscored 10 to 1 in the first game, and facing a 13 run deficit at one point in game 2, it’s hard to find any confidence that this Yankees team can find some sort of momentum. IF the Yankees are going to force their way back to Toronto, it’ll come down to this…
Toronto’s road struggles
Every team usually plays better at home compared to on the road, but Toronto is one of only a few teams to make playoffs who sport an under 500 record on the road. Toronto beat New York 8 times during the regular season, with 6 of those wins coming at home. Of course a game 5 would be in Toronto, a place where New York only won once this season. But they need to get to game 5 before anyone can worry about playing in Toronto again.
Starters need to eat innings
After both Luis Gil and Max Fried failed to go more than 3 innings in each of their starts, the Yankees had no choice but to tax their bullpen a bit. With Rodon and Schlittler lined up to start the next two, fans should have some confidence they can at least go 6. After all, Rodon pitched solidly against Boston and Schlittler had the game of his life tossing 8 shutout innings in game 3 of that series. Don’t expect both of these guys to pitch shutout gems, but they should be able to do what Gil and Fried couldn’t, keep the Yanks in the game.
Bats Bats Bats
The Yankees offense has looked absolutely putrid in this series. Don’t let the 7 garbage time runs in game 2 fool you, this lineup is absolutely not producing. Aaron Judge has the most hits in the post season, but they’ve been all singles and one double, and only two have driven in any runs. The rest of the lineup is no better, with 5 guys hitting sub 190, and everyone else not named Judge or Goldschmidt hitting under 275. Those pitchers desperately need some run support if there is going to be any chance at this series going back to Toronto.
Bleacher Creatures get loud, this may be your last chance to cheer your team on in 2025.