YANKS OCTOBER BOUND—BUT IT'S TOO EARLY FOR THE CHAMPAGNE

The Yankees are officially headed back to October, and yes, I’m happy about it.

They clinched a playoff spot beating the Twins, turning a late 2-1 deficit into another one of those nights when the lineup suddenly wakes up and remembers it’s allowed to score runs.

José Caballero got the Yankees started with a solo homer in the third and later tied the game with an RBI single in the eighth. Ben Rice followed with a two-run single, and then Aaron Judge finally delivered the swing everyone had been waiting for.

Judge launched a three-run homer to finish off a six-run eighth inning. It was his first home run since returning from the injured list—and hopefully the first sign that the big man is finding his timing exactly when the Yankees need him most.

Austin Wells added another homer in the ninth, while Will Warren gave the Yankees 5⅔ strong innings and allowed two unearned runs. It was a good win, a big comeback and a well-earned postseason berth. By the way, Wells? Batting .180... hardly a threat.

Also, I have one question: Should we really be pouring champagne?

I mean, come on, gang. Be happy. Shake hands. Play some music. Maybe crack open a cold one. But goggles, plastic-covered lockers and a full champagne celebration because you secured a playoff spot?

What are we doing here—handing out participation trophies?

These are the New York Yankees. Reaching the postseason is supposed to be the expectation, not the final accomplishment. They’re still chasing Tampa Bay in the American League East, and that should be the focus.

Win the division. Avoid the Wild Card round. Put yourself in the strongest possible position to make a real October run.

Then you can pop the cork.

For now, congratulations. The Yankees are in.

Now go win something. That's what the fans want.

GERRIT COLE-APSE: IS HE STILL AN ACE?

There's two weeks left in the regular season and Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make two more starts in that stretch. If that doesn't make you nervous.....it should. He's set to pitch against the Diamondbacks and the Rays. The last thing I am comfortable with right now is Cole pitching against the Rays in a game that could mean the difference in winning the division or just being a Wild Card.

What the hell is going on with Cole? The guy that was once our ace looks like a shell of himself. It's hard not to ask some tough questions after watching him give up four home runs against the Padres and then three this past weekend against the Mets. This is definitely a problem that Matt Blake and the Yankees need to fix NOW.

The good news is, Cole knows he needs to make those adjustments, read more HERE. The bad news though? We are out of time to tinker with mechanics. Granted, Cole has historically been a quick study and has made adjustments quickly throughout his career but the Rays are around the corner. The Yankees are four games behind them and this four game series against them will be the difference between being a division winner or just securing an invitation to the postseason as a Wild Card. Everything is on the line.

So a short time line and a stumbling ace are not working in our favor. Ordinarily, we might be able to ride something out and exercise some patience but we don't have that luxury. Cole is faltering at the wrong time. Right now, the Yankees best starters are Carlos Rodon, Max Fried and Cam Schlittler and the guy that is supposed to be the ace looks like he is a fourth or fifth starter.

Meanwhile, Schlittler is a favorite for Cy Young (as he should be) and is pulling the weight that a Ace should. It's hard to watch the guy that has been the anchor of your rotation falter. It's a reminder that at some point injuries or just age catch up to you and at a newly 36 years old, could we be seeing the start of his regression?

I hope now is not the time for the regression that comes for every great baseball player. But I have to ask at this point....is Cole still our ace? Is he still the guy that we can count on or is there a new Ace on this team?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

SCHLITTLER OWNS NEW YORK

The Yankees didn’t need much offense today. When Cam Schlittler pitches like this, apparently two runs will do.

The Yankees beat the Mets 2-0 in the rubber game of the Subway Series, and once again Schlittler looked less like a young pitcher figuring things out and more like the guy everybody else is trying to figure out.

Six innings. One hit. No runs. Eight strikeouts. His ERA dropped to a ridiculous 1.95, best in the majors.

Ben Rice got things started immediately, launching his 38th homer of the season in the first inning. Austin Wells — yes, Austin Wells — finally escaped an ugly 0-for-20 skid by going deep in the third. Those two swings were enough.  Don't worry, this dude's still only batting .179.  Like how embarrassing.

And that’s really the story.

Schlittler shut them down. Rice keeps raking. Wells finally woke up. The bullpen finished the job.

Yankees win the series and improve to 86-63.

Unfortunately, Tampa Bay keeps winning too, so the Yankees remain four games behind the Rays in the AL East.

There’s not much season left.

Keep winning.

Keep pushing.

And maybe — just maybe — make Tampa Bay sweat a little.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF YESTERDAY? MEETING BALD VINNY IN THE FLESH

I hadn't been to a Yankee game in two years. And quite frankly, the only reason I went Saturday was because I was invited. I'm certainly not paying for a ticket while Aaron Boone is still at the helm.

Turns out, I didn't miss much.

The Yankees were absolutely awful in a 12-2 embarrassment against the Mets. Gerrit Cole set the tone immediately, surrendering three home runs and five runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings. That's now seven homers allowed in his last two starts. This is supposed to be the ace we're counting on when October arrives? Figure it out, Gerrit. Quickly.

The offense wasn't much better. Cody Bellinger at least showed up, driving in both Yankee runs, including a homer. Aaron Judge went hitless, and Anthony Volpe appears to be settling nicely back into his normal JV ways, killing one of the Yankees' few opportunities by grounding into an inning-ending double play in the seventh. Welcome back.

Meanwhile, the Mets hit six home runs and basically used Yankee Stadium for batting practice. Francisco Lindor started the game with a homer and later added a grand slam just to make sure the humiliation was complete.

The highlight of my day? It had absolutely nothing to do with the game.

I finally got to meet Bald Vinny in person outside Billy's. That was worth the trip. Total businessman, solid hustler, got to appreciate this dude. Last time I met him was 2013. It's been years.

But baseball? Not so much.

Twelve runs allowed. Seven lousy hits. Two runs scored. An ace getting knocked around and an offense that looked lifeless.

Two years away from Yankee Stadium, and this is what I came back to?

Maybe I'll wait another two.

RODÓN SETS THE TONE IN SUBWAY SERIES OPENER

The Yankees took care of business Friday night, beating the Mets 6-4 in the Subway Series opener at Yankee Stadium and extending their winning streak to four.

Cody Bellinger delivered the big blow, crushing a three-run homer in the second inning to give the Yankees a lead they never surrendered. Ben Rice added a solo shot and finished with three hits, while Spencer Jones got the scoring started with an RBI single.

Carlos Rodón gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, going 6⅓ innings with eight strikeouts in his longest outing of the season. The bullpen made things a little too interesting late, but David Bednar came in with the bases loaded in the eighth and finished off a five-out save.

The Yankees are now 85-62, winners of four straight and still three games behind Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East.

Bottom line: Bellinger brought the thunder, Rodón brought the pitching, and the Yankees kept moving forward. With 15 games left, winning the division is still the mission.

LOOK WHO SHOWED UP? YANKS SWEEP ROCKIES

Anthony Volpe finally did something to help the New York Yankees win a baseball game.

There. I said it.

In his return from Triple-A, Volpe went 3-for-4, drove in five runs and launched a grand slam as the Yankees beat Colorado 10-3 and completed the sweep. It was a hell of a game. Give him credit. He showed up when his number was called.

But everybody relax. I'm still not buying Anthony Volpe. 

First off, there were other Yankees who deserve some attention from last night. Luis García Jr. launched his 30th homer of the season, a two-run shot that got things started. Spencer Jones delivered a huge two-run single in the seventh. Cody Bellinger drove in a run, and Max Fried struck out seven while allowing just one run, although it took him 80 pitches to get through 3.1 innings. The bullpen did enough from there.

That's called a team win.

We aren't asking Volpe to be Derek Jeter. We're not asking him to be a superstar. We're asking him to become something resembling the player Yankee scouts told us he was going to be. That's it. Like Jesus, bat .280 on the year.

We've spent years hearing about the talent, the upside and the potential. Meanwhile, we've watched the inconsistency. So, one huge night against a Colorado team that has lost 100 games doesn't suddenly erase everything we've already seen. I'm a realist.

Was Volpe's adrenaline pumping after getting recalled? Absolutely. Did he look energized? Sure. Did he have a great game? Damn right.

But we've seen this movie before. A big game. A little hope. Everyone starts screaming that Volpe has "figured it out." Then comes another stretch where we're wondering what happened.

So, spare me the redemption tour after one night. I've been fooled for 3 years with this guy.

Am I happy for Volpe? No. I'm happy the Yankees won.

Volpe did his job, exactly what he was supposed to do. That's what I'm happy about. There is way too much emphasis placed on the fact that Anthony Volpe did it instead of what actually matters: the Yankees need to win this division.

So that's the story. This isn't about rebuilding Anthony Volpe's confidence or proving the Yankees were right about him. September isn't about protecting prospects, organizational pride or winning arguments.

It's about winning baseball games. Volpe helped them do that last night. Good. Do it again.

And again. Because one grand slam doesn't change my opinion of Anthony Volpe. But helping the Yankees get to first place might.

That's the standard now.

Win the damn division.

LOMBARD GOES GRAND. VOLPE GETS ANOTHER LIFE

George Lombard Jr. gave Yankee fans the moment of the night.

With Spencer Jones working a two-out walk to help load the bases, Lombard stepped up and crushed an opposite-field grand slam — the first of his career and the Yankees’ first grand slam of the season.

The kid continues to impress.

Jones deserves credit, too. Two walks, patience at the plate and another contribution from a young player who looks like he belongs.

And Will Warren? Six strong innings, one run and eight strikeouts. Exactly what the Yankees needed.

Then came the news that made me roll my eyes.

Anthony Volpe is coming back.

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. suffering a thumb sprain, Volpe will rejoin the major league roster Thursday. And apparently we're going to force this experiment into second base now?

Why?

José Caballero is already here. He can play second. Let him.

I simply don't care about the Anthony Volpe experiment anymore. He had his opportunity. It was a long time. The Yankees finally sent him to Triple-A, Lombard took over at shortstop, and the kid has brought energy and excitement.

Why are we still trying to manufacture opportunities for Volpe?

At some point, stop trying to prove you're right about a player and just play the guys who give you the best chance to win.

This is the kind of organizational nonsense that makes it hard for me to root for this team sometimes.

Lombard is giving you something special. Don't screw it up.

JUDGE RETURNS & THE YANKEES KEEP ROLLING

Aaron Judge is back. Finally.

The Yankee captain returned Tuesday night after missing 100 days, and while he went 0-for-3, nobody cares about the box score right now. Judge is healthy, he’s in right field, and the Yankees beat Colorado 5-3.

QUICK HITS: Judge is back. That’s the headline. Now stay healthy.

Cam Schlittler shoved: 7 innings, 1 earned run, 10 strikeouts. The kid continues to be the real deal.
Ryan McMahon ripped an RBI double to put the Yankees ahead.
Heliot Ramos delivered the dagger — a three-run bomb in the eighth.
David Bednar closed it out for save No. 32.

The Yankees are 82-62. September is here. Judge is back.

Enough excuses. Go win the damn thing.

WHOEVER MADE THIS MEME OWES BILL BELICHICK AN APOLOGY

I saw this floating around and immediately had one question:

Who the hell made this thing?

Bill Belichick standing next to Aaron Boone with “8 rings combined” plastered across the bottom is technically clever, I guess.

Except Belichick did the heavy lifting.

The meme says one has eight and the other has zero. The larger point is dead-on: Belichick has actually reached the mountaintop repeatedly. Boone has been managing the Yankees since 2018 and still hasn't won a World Series.

So please don't put these two guys together like they're some kind of championship power couple.

One is associated with championships.

The other is associated with explaining losses.

And that's where this meme accidentally pisses me off.

I've heard every Aaron Boone defense imaginable. Great regular-season record. Players love him. Good communicator. Keeps the clubhouse together.

Wonderful.

Where's the freaking ring?

Boone has 778 regular-season victories and a .582 winning percentage as Yankees manager. That's impressive until you remember we're talking about the New York Yankees, where the assignment isn't win a bunch of games between April and September. The assignment is to win the World Series.

Nine seasons. Zero championships.

That's the stat I care about.

And worse, I still don't trust him when the game gets tight. I don't trust the pitching changes. I don't trust the lineup decisions. I don't trust the feel for the moment. October exposes managers because eventually the spreadsheet stops helping and somebody has to actually manage the baseball game in front of him.

That's where Boone scares the hell out of me.

Yet here we are again in 2026. Aaron Judge is 34. The championship window isn't going to remain open forever, and somehow the Yankees continue acting as though Boone deserves unlimited attempts to figure this thing out.

Why should I expect this October to be different?

I don't.

Maybe the Yankees get hot. Maybe Judge carries them. Maybe the pitching catches fire and Boone finally pushes every correct button.

I'd love to be wrong.

But after nine years, I'm done predicting something I've never seen.

So congratulations to whoever made the meme. You got your engagement.

But don't ever put Aaron Boone's name next to Bill Belichick's rings again.

Belichick earned his jewelry.

Boone is still looking for the damn store.

THE CAPTAIN IS BACK! GO GET 28!

Aaron Judge is back.

Finally.

The Yankees activated their captain Monday night, and Judge is expected back in the lineup today against the Rockies after missing more than three months with a fractured rib. No rehab assignment. No more waiting. It’s go time. And man, did this lineup miss him.

The Yankees went 45-39 without Judge, but the offense was ugly. They hit just .227 during his absence, and now they enter the final 19 games four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East.

So yes, I’m thrilled. Judge changes everything. His presence changes the lineup, changes how pitchers attack the Yankees and gives this team something it desperately needs:

Fear.

But now comes the question nobody wants to ask while we're celebrating: Can Aaron Judge get us to the finish line? Not September. Not a Wild Card banner. Not another “great season.” October. The World Series. A championship.

Judge is back.

Now go finish the damn job.

STANTON LIVES!

Everyone's waiting for Aaron Judge to return, but apparently Giancarlo Stanton isn't completely dead for 2026 either. Wild.

Aaron Boone says Stanton is hitting and gave us the always-informative “we’ll see.”

Thanks, Aaron. Pulitzer stuff.

Look, Stanton hasn't played since April 24 because his calf apparently has the structural integrity of wet toilet paper. At 36, expecting him to suddenly become Cal Ripken Jr. is ridiculous.

But here's the funny part: I still want him.

Because if October comes and I need one gigantic human being to walk to the plate and scare the absolute hell out of a pitcher, give me Big G.

Judge and Stanton back for October?

I'll believe it when I see it.

But I'm certainly not deleting Stanton's number yet. Interesting.

JUDGE GAVE THE YANKEES A DECADE. WHAT THE HELL HAVE THEY GIVEN HIM?

Ten years.

That's how long it's been since Aaron Judge arrived in the Bronx and hit his first Major League home run. August 13, 2016. Ten freaking years. Since then, Judge has become an MVP, a home run king, the captain of the New York Yankees and the face of baseball.

You know what he hasn't become? A World Series champion.

And I'm tired of pretending that's just bad luck. At some point, somebody needs to point the finger where it belongs: Brian Cashman, the Yankees front office and Aaron Boone.

Judge has given this organization everything. The Yankees have given him excuses.

Every year we're sold another version of the same garbage. The roster is talented. The underlying numbers are encouraging. Boone has a terrific winning percentage. Cashman believes in the process. Who gives a shit? Where are the championships?

This is the Yankees. Nobody hangs a banner for "pretty good regular season." Nobody walks through Monument Park reminiscing about Aaron Boone's winning percentage.

And please spare me the Boone defense. I've watched enough.

When the game gets tight, Boone gets exposed. When October demands instinct instead of a spreadsheet, we're treated to another pitching change that makes you scratch your head, another lineup decision nobody understands, another moment where Boone looks like he's managing the seventh game of spring training instead of the seventh game of a World Series.

Yet somehow, he's still here. Year after year. That's the part that drives me insane. How much evidence does this organization need? Judge isn't some prospect anymore. He's 34 years old. The clock isn't ticking quietly anymore. It's banging on the damn wall.

The Yankees were handed something most franchises would kill for: a generational superstar who wanted to be a Yankee, became captain and embraced everything that comes with playing in New York.

And they've managed to surround his prime with zero championships. That's organizational failure, sorry, it is. Yes, players need to perform in October. Judge included. Nobody gets a free pass.

But Brian Cashman has been responsible for constructing these teams. Aaron Boone has been responsible for managing them. And when the ending keeps looking familiar, eventually you stop blaming coincidence. You blame the people running the show. That's where I am.

I don't care how many regular-season games Boone has won. I don't care how many times Cashman explains how difficult winning a championship is. We know it's difficult. That's why you're paid to freaking do it. The Yankees used to measure seasons in championships. Somewhere along the way, this organization started measuring success in playoff appearances, winning records and organizational self-congratulation.

That's not Yankee baseball. That's corporate spin. And here's the scary part: They're running out of Aaron Judge. There aren't another ten prime years coming.

Keep Boone. Keep Cashman. Keep running back the same philosophy and hoping October magically ends differently. But don't act shocked someday when Judge retires, they put No. 99 in Monument Park and everybody suddenly realizes what happened. The Yankees had one of the greatest players of his generation. They had him for years. They had the money. They had the resources. They had the opportunity. And they pissed away his championship window.

Aaron Judge deserves his ring.

The question isn't whether he's done enough for the Yankees. It's whether the Yankees have done nearly enough for Aaron Judge. Right now?

Not even freaking close.