“That’s 2020, baby,” as Yankees Manager Aaron Boone has often said throughout the year. Now with just a few more games to go in this coronavirus shortened season, the Yankees face the postseason straight in the eyes. Will 2020 be good to the Yankees who were favorites heading into 2020? Let's take a look at their chances.
“Obviously it’s a little bit different because of no crowd, but in a lot of ways teams are built for their home ballpark,” said Boone, whose batting lineup is adept at taking advantage of the closer wall in right field in the Bronx," reported the New York Times.
Source: David Butler Ii/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
The Yankees will be in one of the MLB Playoff bubbles with their fate of who they will face to be determined. The lack of time in between games will certainly impact pitching and the amount of rest the position players will receive. This may be too taxing on the Bombers who have been ridden with injuries again this season.
Source: USA Today
Yet on the bright side of things, Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu have carried this team throughout the month of September, making the absence of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton more bearable. In addition, the starting pitching of J.A. Happ, Masahiro Tanaka and Gerrit Cole have also made an impression on this team and their ability to fight off competing offense.
The Yankees need have the right mindset to go in and take games from opponents, create fear and dominance at the plate and be at their best to fend off any team. "Now we are getting back to being the Bronx Bombers and I don't think anyone wants to play us in the playoffs," said Luke Voit. Adam Ottavino shared this sentiment about clinching a playoff spot this weekend, "Just get your foot in the door and go from there." All the right kinds of statements the Yankees need coupled with staying healthy and focused on winning.
Could 2020 be the year for the Yankees who have not won a World Series since 2009? They will have to get passed their AL archenemy the Tampa Bay Rays to get there. Let's hope they have enough muscle to get there and Boone's "That's 2020, baby!" will hold even more meaning for the Yankees.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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