Yankees Could Crash Out of Playoff Race If They Don't Get Act Together: Insider

Newsweek

7 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
To say the New York Yankees are in a slump would be quite an understatement. With the Bronx Bombers' tailspin continuing into a third month, with a record of 25-31 since the calendar turned to June after starting the season 35-22 — and losing all four games in August so far — the defending American League champions may be in danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
In fact, according to one top MLB insider, that is exactly what the Yankees have to look forward to, if they fail to start playing better baseball in a hurry.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Carlos Rodón #55 of the New York Yankees reacts during the sixth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2025 in...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Carlos Rodón #55 of the New York Yankees reacts during the sixth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2025 in New York City. More"Could they be the odd team out come October in the American League? I believe they can be," said longtime baseball reporter and expert Ken Rosenthal, on the "Foul Territory" podcast Tuesday. "They need to start playing better, and they need to start doing it quickly."
But can they?
After their second walk-off loss in their last four games Monday, the Yankees entered Tuesday having lost four in a row and eight of their last 12. In July, the New York pitching staff ranked 28th in MLB with a 5.65 ERA, and over their first four games played in August their staff ERA is a bloated 7.15.
Their 62 errors are eighth-most in MLB.
The Yankees are still hitting. Their 133 runs in July were the second-most in baseball, and New York's team OPS of .795 was third-best. But the offense has not been enough to overcome the pitching and defensive woes.
On May 28, the Yankees led the AL East by seven games over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays. Their .636 winning percentage was third-best in MLB. They had an eight-game advantage over the Toronto Blue Jays and led the Boston Red Sox by 9 1/2 games.
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Ahead of Tuesday's MLB action, the Red Sox had made up all of that ground and then some, leading the now-third place Yankees by 2 1/2 games in the wild card standings. The Blue Jays occupied first in the division, topping New York by 5 1/2.
But all is not lost quite yet. According to Fangraphs, the Yankees on Tuesday held an 85.2 percent chance of making the playoffs.
"So, yes, the Yankees still look good for the playoffs, but I'm not even so sure that is secure the way they're playing," Rosenthal said on the podcast. "They're looking at the fifth seed right now and maybe the sixth, the way the Red Sox are coming."
Of course, at the end of May, the Yankees had 97.2 percent Fangraph odds of making the playoffs, a virtual lock. That means their playoff chances have plunged by more than 12 percent since their slump in the standings began.
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