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What the Yankees Need to Do Now to Make the ALCS

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Yankees

After securing the American League’s top record, the New York Yankees find themselves tied 1-1 with the Kansas City Royals in their postseason series. A thrilling 6-5 Game 1 victory gave way to a disappointing 4-2 loss in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees’ sluggish start has raised concerns. Their typically potent offense has stagnated, starting pitching has been uncharacteristically erratic, and their star player has struggled. However, panic isn’t warranted – yet. Amidst the struggles, several positives have emerged, providing a foundation for optimism.

As the series shifts to Kansas City for Game 3, Clarke Schmidt and Seth Lugo will take the mound for their respective teams. To regain momentum and advance to the ALCS, the Yankees must focus on these three crucial areas.

3 Crucial Steps for the Yankees to Reach the ALCS

The Dawg is Back!

It’s no secret that Alex Verdugo‘s first (and perhaps only) season in pinstripes hasn’t gone too well. The left fielder held himself accountable following Saturday’s win, after being named the starting left fielder just a few days prior.

“Fans booing me, fans getting on me, I understand it. I was booing myself too…You can make up for a lot of things in the playoffs.”

This mentality already seems to be paying off for the 28-year-old, who recorded an RBI single that ended up being the game-winning hit in Game 1. But even when Verdugo wasn’t producing with the bat, he earned a mainstay in the lineup because of his spectacular defense.

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A crucial mistake by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in Game 2’s fourth inning potentially altered the outcome. Failing to cut off Verdugo’s throw on Garret Hampson’s single, Chisholm allowed a run to score and another runner to advance, ultimately leading to an additional run.
This avoidable error is particularly costly in the postseason. Similarly, Anthony Volpe‘s Game 1 miscue nearly proved disastrous for New York. The Yankees’ narrow escape highlights the urgency for defensive improvement.
To seize control of the series, the Yankees must tighten their defense. As the adage goes, “defense wins championships.” Cleaning up these lapses will be pivotal in their pursuit of the ALCS.

Starters Must Step Up

The Yankees’ bullpen has pitched 9 1/3 innings through the first two games, reflecting the outings of the first two starters. Gerrit Cole had an uncharacteristic but passable outing in the opening game, giving up 3 earned runs over 5 innings. Rodon, on the other hand, gave up four runs in the fourth inning of Game 2 that the Yankees weren’t able to recover from. Getting deep into games is vital for both starters and the bullpen in the postseason, and neither starter was able to do that.

Aaron Boone named Schmidt the starter for Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium, opting for experience over rookie Luis Gil. Schmidt’s ability to pitch deep into the game is crucial, given the Yankees’ heavily taxed bullpen after the first two games.
While Schmidt has only surpassed six innings twice in 16 starts, he has established himself as a reliable starter this season. If he can provide a quality outing and give the Yankees a chance to win on Wednesday, the team’s offense should be able to capitalize. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon potentially awaiting in Games 4 and 5, the Yankees’ rotation is poised to regain momentum. If Schmidt sets the tone, the Yankees’ offense should have no trouble punching their ticket to the ALCS.

The Captain Has to Rally

The narrative surrounding Aaron Judge‘s postseason hitting woes persists, and unfortunately, the Yankees’ captain has done little to dispel it. Judge now holds the highest strikeout percentage in postseason history (min. 200 PA), and his struggles at the plate have been alarming. Despite seeing hittable pitches, Judge has failed to capitalize, leaving the Yankees wanting more from their superstar. This slump comes at a critical juncture, as the team relies heavily on his production.
The numbers are stark: when Judge records at least one RBI, the Yankees are 54-18. His presence in the lineup is a game-changer, and his impact extends beyond his statistics. Judge’s dominance has a trickle-down effect, elevating the entire lineup. Juan Soto‘s impressive postseason start (3 hits in Game 1) has helped offset Judge’s struggles, but the Yankees need their captain to lead by example. It’s time for Judge to rediscover his form and ignite the offense. When he plays like a captain, the team rallies.

Main Photo: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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