The Yankees were north of the border when they lost their grip on first place in the American League East earlier this month, swept in a four-game series by the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. There would be no better place to grab a share of it back, Aaron Judge believes. Judge and the Yankees arrived in Toronto late Sunday, having taken two of three eventful games from the Braves in Atlanta coming out of the All-Star break. The captain says now is the time to start playing the brand of baseball they know will be required to win another division crown. “We can’t focus on the past. If we think about what happened the last time we played them, that isn’t going to change our record,” Judge said. “So we’ve got to focus on the present and what we can do right now, and just take care of business.” |
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The Yankees held a seven-game lead in the AL East on the morning of May 29, an off-day between series against the Angels and Dodgers on the West Coast. Another summer swoon has since erased that advantage. After posting a 17-9 record in May, the Yankees finished a game below .500 with a 13-14 mark in June, and are off to a 7-8 start in July. That won’t cut it, as manager Aaron Boone acknowledged on Sunday. “Not good enough to win a division, probably,” Boone said. “So hopefully that changes here in the final couple-plus months. We’re in position to do that.” Of particular focus is improving their performance against the division, which Boone frequently refers to as being populated by clubs who insist you must “pack a lunch.” So far, they’ve barely gotten a snack, winning just 10 of 26 games against the AL East. “That’s likely and obviously going to have to improve here in the second half if we're ultimately going to win the division,” Boone said. |
The Toronto series arrives at a pivotal time, considering general manager Brian Cashman and his staff are working the phones for potential upgrades in advance of the July 31 Trade Deadline. Cashman has promised the Yanks will “go to town” in search of talent -- their shopping list includes at least one starting pitcher (Zac Gallen, Mitch Keller, Merrill Kelly, Joe Ryan?), multiple relievers (David Bednar, Jhoan Duran, Raisel Iglesias, Griffin Jax?) and a third baseman (Ke’Bryan Hayes or Eugenio Suárez?). It’s a hefty ask. The next week could shape their willingness to deal prospect capital -- one way or the other. “I would say our first goal is to get in the playoffs,” Boone said. “Then it's to win the division, and then obviously go play for it all. But we know we've got to play better within the division.” |
First things first: taking care of business against the Blue Jays, a team that plays very well in their own building, now having won 10 consecutive home games after sweeping the Giants on Sunday. “They’re a good ballclub,” Judge said. “They’ve been playing good ball all year. Any time you play in the AL East, it’s going to be a gauntlet. Every team is usually in it, so you’ve got to be ready to go.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
The Yankees will return home on Friday to host the Phillies at 7:05 p.m. ET on Anthony Volpe Bobblehead Night. The first 18,000 guests will receive the Volpe collectible, presented by T-Mobile. Volpe matched a career high with four RBIs in the Yankees’ 12-9 victory over the Braves on Saturday, which represented the first multihomer game of his career. "I know what I’ve got to do,” Volpe said. “Any of the stuff on the outside doesn’t even come close to the standard I hold myself to. Even on a good night, you’ve got to go right back to work." |
Yankees No. 2 prospect Spencer Jones homered twice Sunday -- and that’s becoming a habit. Since his promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the big-swinging outfielder is batting .426 (29-for-68) with five doubles, 10 homers and 20 RBIs in just 16 games. That included his two-homer, four-hit effort in an 8-2 win at Worcester. “It’s been a great year for him,” Boone said in Atlanta. “He’s made a lot of adjustments over the last couple of years. It’s good to see that those adjustments in Double-A and Triple-A have paid off for him so far.” Also of note, catcher Rafael Flores (No. 15) earned a promotion to Triple-A this past week after slashing .287/.346/.496 in 87 games for Double-A Somerset, with 23 doubles, 15 homers and 56 RBIs. “I think he’s got a chance to be a really good one,” Boone said of Flores. |
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Who is the most recent Yankees pitcher to win 20 or more games in a single season? A. Mike Mussina B. Andy Pettitte C. CC Sabathia D. Luis Severino |
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THIS DATE IN YANKEE HISTORY |
July 21, 1984: The Yankees retired Elston Howard’s No. 32 and Roger Maris’ No. 9, formally dedicating Monument Park plaques in their honors. |
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C. Sabathia. Sabathia -- who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum this week -- led the Majors with 21 wins in 2010, posting a 3.18 ERA across an AL-best 34 starts. |
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