The Yankees had yet to clinch an American League East title entering Tuesday, but they seemed likely to do so with their divisional magic number down to one and the flailing Orioles in town.
With a postseason rematch against Baltimore in the American League Division Series possible, it’s worth keeping an eye on this three-game series. However, the head-to-head intrigue that many anticipated just a few weeks ago has dwindled with the O’s playing some of MLB’s worst baseball lately.
With that in mind, here are a few Yankee-centric storylines to follow over the team’s final week of the regular season, which will also include a matchup against a last-place Pirates team.
Best Records
With the Yankees all but assured a division crown and a first-round bye in the playoffs, they can also go after the best records in the American League and the majors.
At 92-64 (.590), the Yankees already had the AL’s best mark and were positioned as a No. 1 seed entering Tuesday. Their magic number for those things, which would give them homefield advantage prior to the World Series, was down to three.
Over the weekend, Aaron Boone said that the Yankees will try for the AL’s best record. However, they will also prioritize health and rest before the playoffs.
“You gotta take each individual, assess and evaluate where they are, and strike that balance between big picture and the day,” the manager added Tuesday. “Which, on some level, you’re doing all year. This time of year, obviously with what’s at stake, there’s a little more of a light on that.”
Cleveland, 90-67 (.573), ranked second in the AL on Tuesday. The Guardians are wrapping their season up with the lowly Reds and first-place Astros.
Securing the best record in the majors will be tougher for the Yankees, as the National League’s Phillies, 93-64 (.592) and Dodgers, 93-63 (.596), entered Tuesday with better marks. Philadelphia ends the season with games against the middling Cubs and the rebuilding Nationals. Los Angeles must play the wild-card leading Padres and the basement-dwelling Rockies.
Domínguez and Verdugo
With Jasson Domínguez now in the Yankees’ outfield mix, it will be interesting to see how the team handles left field during the postseason. This final week could provide some hints, as Domínguez, a natural center fielder, has a chance to get more reps in Yankee Stadium’s vast left field.
That was not the approach the Yankees took Tuesday, as Alex Verdugo started in left with The Martian on the bench. Verdugo is considered the superior defender and has playoff experience, but he has a .597 OPS since May 8 and just two home runs since July 7. Domínguez, meanwhile, had two home runs on the Yankees’ recent west coast road trip, where he also showed off his speed.
He clearly offers more upside than Verdugo at the plate, but Domínguez also misplayed a few balls in the outfield and generally hasn’t looked that sharp on defense.
Can The Bullpen’s Circle of Trust Expand?
The Yankees’ bullpen took a hit out west with Jake Cousins landing on the injured list with a pec strain, but the plan is for the righty to resume throwing on Thursday. His “goal” is to be ready for Oct. 5, the start of the ALDS.
Cousins has enjoyed a breakout season, recording a 2.37 ERA and a team-high 34.2 K% over 37 games. He has become one of Boone’s trusted relievers, joining a group that also includes Luke Weaver – now the Yankees’ closer for all intents and purposes – Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill and Ian Hamilton.
While the Yankees hope that Cousins stays on schedule, there is some time for others to join that circle of trust. Clay Holmes, the owner of 13 blown saves, should have an uphill climb in that regard, but Boone has reiterated that the Yankees expect him to get big outs, so look out for those opportunities. If Holmes could find some consistency before the playoffs, that would certainly give the Yankees a boost.
Marcus Stroman, moved from the rotation to the bullpen, is another guy who could prove his worth over the season’s final days with his postseason roster spot in question. Another starter – one of Nestor Cortes, Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt – could also end up in the pen, as the Yankees won’t need a full rotation next month.
Skenes Visits The Bronx
While the Yankees’ playoff storylines are of far greater importance, it’s worth noting that Paul Skenes is expected to make his first start at Yankee Stadium when the Pirates visit this weekend. The 22-year-old rookie has been nothing short of exceptional this year, recording a 1.99 ERA over 22 starts after going first overall in last year’s draft. The righty also has 167 strikeouts over 131 innings.
Skenes is tentatively scheduled to face Gil, another Rookie of the Year contender, on Saturday. While not as sensational as Skenes, the hard-throwing Gil has impressed since shoving his way into the Yankees’ rotation back in spring training, posting a 15-6 record, a 3.27 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 146 innings and 28 starts.
