Nowhere to go but up.
That’s what’s facing the Yankees after their 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles Thursday at Camden Yards.
New York sits a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Wild-Card race. And it’s possible that’s where the Yankees will stay.
The Blue Jays have perhaps the game’s best hitter (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) leading a red-hot offense that has the most home runs in baseball (233) and a Cy Young Award contender (Robbie Ray) who leads the American League in ERA (2.64). And don’t forget the Blue Jays are peaking at the right time, going an AL-best 8-2 in their last 10 games.
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Then there are the Red Sox. Here are three reasons why Boston could deal a knockout blow to the Yankees’ playoff aspirations.
Getting healthy
A surprise contender early in the season, the Red Sox fell back to the pack, especially as COVID-19 ravaged the club after the All-Star break (with a dozen players landing on the COVID IL list).
But there’s the rub. Boston is getting reinforcements for the stretch run. Ace Chris Sale and All-Star closer Matt Barnes both are expected to return on Friday.
Remaining games
The Red Sox have just 14 games remaining in the regular season. The Yankees have 15, the Blue Jays have 16. Yes, that’s fewer opportunities to gain ground, but it also means Boston has three off days remaining. The Boston Globe explains why that’s so important:
They can use Sale and Nate Eovaldi a combined seven times on normal rest, with Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez positioned to cover six games. That would allow No. 5 starter Tanner Houck to be a relief pitcher, a role well-suited for his fastball/slider combination.
Upcoming opponents
Then there are games themselves. The Red Sox have one series remaining with a team that has a winning record - the Yankees. Boston plays the Orioles and Washington Nationals, both last place teams, a combined nine times before the season ends.
The Blue Jays also have a weak schedule, with 10 of their final 16 games against teams with a losing record. The Yankees have the toughest schedule, with nine games left against winning teams.
New York ends the season with three-game series at Boston, at Toronto and home against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Here’s how the current wild-card standings look:
Blue Jays (82-64): --
Red Sox (83-65): --
Yankees (82-65): 0.5
Oakland A’s (79-67): 3
Seattle Mariners (78-68): 4
Here are the games of note Friday which will impact the AL wild-card race:
Cleveland Indians @ Yankees (7:05 p.m. ET)
Minnesota Twins @ Blue Jays (7:07 p.m. ET)
Orioles @ Red Sox (7:10 p.m. ET)
Mariners @ Kansas City Royals (8:10 p.m. ET)
A’s @ Los Angeles Angels (9:38 p.m. ET)
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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