For the first time since 2016, there will be no playoff baseball in the Bronx. The Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention after they suffered a 7-1 loss to the Diamondbacks last Sunday.
Everything seemed to go wrong for the Bronx Bombers after reigning MVP Aaron Judge became sidelined with a toe injury in early June after colliding with the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium. At that time, New York had a promising record of 35-25 in baseball’s toughest division.
New York has been all but officially out of the playoff picture since their 9-game losing streak in mid-August where they dropped to 60-65. The chances of climbing out of that hole were slim, but Yankee fans remained hopeful, especially with Judge having returned. To be officially eliminated stings, even more so after the team made a last-ditch push, going 14-5 from late August to mid September and crawling back to a 76-73 record.
The captain said of his team’s season, “There’s a lot that went wrong”…”With the type of lineup we have, the pitching rotation, we’ve just got to show up collectively.” This will be the first time in the slugger’s career he has missed the postseason.
The biggest bright spot this year was Gerrit Cole’s masterful season on the mound, having likely secured his first Cy Young. The Yankees are hoping to surround Cole with a more versatile and consistent rotation for next season. Cole leads the AL in winning percentage, innings pitched, ERA, and WHIP, but as we know in baseball, one man cannot do it alone.
All eyes will be on Aaron Boone this offseason, and his future with the club. The skipper commented that he is not worried in regards to his job status and will play it by ear.
