BOONE & THE ANALYTICS DEPARTMENT LOST GAME 1 FOR THE YANKEES

It was predictable. Everyone with half a brain knew Garrett Crochet was going to carve the Yankees. He’s that good. The guy’s not just solid—he’s a freak of nature, the type of pitcher who makes professional hitters look like they’re holding pool noodles instead of bats. And the cruel twist? Crochet has the Yankees’ number. He doesn’t just beat them—he humiliates them. So, when I say I expected the loss tonight, I’m not being dramatic. I was just being realistic.

Now, Max Fried. My guy. One of my favorites. He’s as good as advertised—an absolute horse. He’s a four-pitch maestro, he competes, and he wanted the ball. He earned the ball. And yet, somehow, the Yankees’ brain trust—if you can call it that without choking on the irony—decided to pull him. Fried is still better than 90% of the arms in that bullpen. But apparently, the spreadsheet said otherwise. So, in trots Luke Weaver, who, let’s be honest, has about as much variety as a dollar-menu cheeseburger. Two pitches compared to Max's 4. I mean, what did you think was gonna happen? Max Fried called out Boone tonight after the game.  They asked if he had more left in the tank. Fried said, "Yeah, I felt good....I had enough in the tank."  Boone is a fucking idiot.

This is the Yankees’ analytics department in a nutshell: run by numbers nerds who’ve never thrown a ball harder than 45 mph in their lives. They treat pitchers like they’re apps you can just “close out” and “reopen” when the matchup looks prettier on an Excel sheet. Meanwhile, the game is happening in real life. Max Fried isn’t a column of data—he’s a competitor. He wanted the damn ball, and he still had plenty left. But no, Fishman and his crew of Ivy League “geniuses” decided it was time to meddle again. And Aaron Boone? Well, he’s too dumb and too soft to push back. He’s just the smiling puppet nodding along as the front office tugs his strings.

Then there’s Anthony Volpe. When I saw his name in the lineup, my immediate thought was: “This motherfucker didn’t even earn a playoff start. Why the hell is he there?” But sure enough, he runs into a pitch and parks one in the seats. Great. Good job, Anthony. You did your job for once. The problem? Boone acted like he’d just witnessed the Second Coming. He practically splooged all over the microphone when a reporter asked him about it. I mean, calm down—it was a solo shot in a game you lost. Nobody’s building a monument over it.

And don’t get me started on Jazz Chisholm. Why was he riding the bench until the 8th inning? This is a 30-30 player, an everyday sparkplug, a guy who brings swagger and production. But apparently, the analytics department’s Magic 8-Ball said tonight wasn’t his night. By the time Jazz got in, he was steaming, and rightfully so. You don’t waste a talent like that until garbage time. Boone once again looked clueless, fumbling his way through the decision like a substitute teacher who lost the lesson plan.

Let’s not pretend we didn’t all see this coming. Crochet was always going to shove. That part wasn’t shocking. What was shocking—scratch that—what was infuriating was the way the Yankees actively sabotaged themselves tonight. This wasn’t just Crochet’s brilliance. This was organizational malpractice. Boone and the analytics department straight-up handed this game away.

Max Fried pitched his heart out. He had the game in control. And instead of letting your ace ride it out, you piss all over his effort because some formula says “third time through the order” is scary. Newsflash: the other team is scary too, and pulling your ace in favor of Luke Weaver doesn’t suddenly make Crochet throw fewer strikes. You don’t win playoff games with Microsoft Excel—you win them with guts, instincts, and players who actually know what the hell they’re doing. 

But that’s the Yankees’ problem, isn’t it? The front office is obsessed with looking like the smartest guys in the room. They think they’re reinventing baseball when really they’re just burning it to the ground. And Boone? He’s not a leader. He’s a yes-man. A cardboard cutout in a hoodie. A motivational speaker without the motivation. When your manager’s biggest contribution to a loss is gushing over Anthony Volpe’s solo homer, you know you’re screwed.

So, did I expect a win tonight? No. Crochet was always going to dominate. But did Boone and Michael Fishman make sure there was zero chance of stealing one? Absolutely. They stripped the Yankees of their one shot by yanking Fried and screwing with the lineup. That’s not leadership—that’s sabotage.

Tomorrow? Who knows. Depends which Carlos Rodón shows up—the bulldog or the batting-practice machine. But tonight? Tonight was an unmitigated disaster. Proof that a solo homer from Volpe means jack shit when the organization is too stupid to get out of its own way.

The Yankees lost. Nobody should be surprised. This is what happens when you let analytics nerds and a dumbass manager run the show.

#FireBoone

IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW YOU START THE SEASON; IT'S HOW YOU FINISH!

I'm not gonna lie, I am a little bummed that we ended as a Wild Card, because that's never good enough. We always want more, and we expect it. It's not the scenario that we want but we at least get to see October baseball. We can't say the same for that other New York team.

I say this thinking about my friends and coworkers who are Mets fans. On Tuesday, we play the Red Sox and on Tuesday the Mets are playing golf.....or maybe eating their feelings. They certainly would have a lot of feelings to eat. The Yankees could've been in the same situation. They had some of the same flaws, but the Yankees were able to figure them out.

At the beginning of the season, the Yankees were panicking after losing Gerrit Cole. I was poking fun of the Mets because after spending a stupid amount of money on Juan Soto, they created a science experiment for a pitching rotation that included converting blown save connoisseur Clay Holmes from a bullpen role into a starter. How could that not be a complete disaster? If you are gonna blow $765 million on one guy, at least build a formidable pitching staff so Soto wasn't working on overdrive to make up the runs they were sure to give up with a crappy pitching staff.

At first, both the Yankees and the Mets started out strong. Of course, we are used to seeing that with the Yankees. Both teams had an early lead in their divisions, and it looked like both teams invested well. They held a major-league best 45-24 record heading into June 13 at 21 games over .500 and a 5.5-game lead in the NL East. It was the dream team that Steven Cohen envisioned when he spent lavishly to win it all. Until it all fell apart with a 38-55 record from June 13 to September 28 to finish the year with a disappointing 83-79 record. Both teams did a free fall, but the Yankees managed to pull it together.

The Mets collapse was brutal. Their poor offseason pitching decisions caught up to them while the Yankees got creative internally. I still say Carlos Rodon evolved into the pitcher I never expected this season and then came Cam Schlittler who blew everyone away....both the Yankees and opposing hitters that couldn't adapt to his style. He proved himself enough to earn a role as the third starter in the Wild Card series coming up.

Both teams had a freefall, but the Yankees managed to pull themselves up by their cleats and salvage the season late. Thanks to guys like Ben Rice and Aaron Judge cashing in on big moments they won enough games to finish with a 94-68 record tying their record from 2024. They might not be division winners this time around, but they are playing in October.

It's proof that as nice as it is to see a red-hot start to the season, a strong finish is just as important. The Yankees managed to right the ship and are playing October baseball. The Mets and Carlos Mendoza on the other hand have a long, agonizing winter to get through and I'm more than okay with that.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

TO WIN THE AL EAST? IT COMES DOWN TO BOONE'S "BELIEVE & HOPE" MANAGING STYLE

The Yankees just keep winning, and honestly, there’s no better time of year for it. They’re doing the one thing they absolutely must: stack up W’s. And right now, they are.

Of course, nothing can ever be too clean with this team, because Aaron Boone insists on being Aaron Boone. Another Anthony Volpe 0-for-3 stinker? Check. Another baffling substitution? Check. Boone actually pinch-hit José Caballero for Jazz Chisholm, a move that made as much sense as sunscreen at midnight. Hey analytics Department... throw your stupid paperwork away.  Caballero is better than Volpe and while Jazz got hurt, you still have others on the bench that could have played second.  

Luckily, the big guns keep bailing Boone out. Aaron Judge wasted no time, smacking a solo homer to left-center in the first. Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan McMahon joined the party in the second, stretching the lead to 3-0. Stanton’s blast was number 453 for his career, pushing him past Carl Yastrzemski into 40th place all-time. Not bad company.

The only problem? The Blue Jays refused to cooperate in their game. Toronto handled Tampa Bay 5-1, staying on top of the AL East heading into the season’s final day. And so the Yankees and Jays are both there. The Jays own the tiebreaker after winning eight of 13 against the Yankees, meaning New York has to both win and pray Toronto stumbles.

The Yanks have ripped off seven straight, 10 of 11 overall, and yet here we are—relying on scoreboard-watching instead of strutting into October with the division already in the bag. That’s the Boone effect. Mismanaged months ago, and now it’s all “believe and hope.”

If the Jays win today, the Yankees get stuck opening the playoffs against the Red Sox. Translation: Garrett Crochet probably carves them up in Game 1, New York claws back in Game 2, and Game 3 turns into a coin flip. Not exactly the ideal route.

So here we sit: one more day, one more must-win, and one more reason to mutter under your breath about Aaron Boone. All we can do now is shout, Let’s go Yankees!—and whisper a quiet, desperate please lose, Toronto.

YANKEES CONTINUE WINNING & PLAYING CATCH UP

“Obviously, we have no control over anything.”

-Aaron Boone

He's a fucking genius, isn't he folks? 

The Yankees did their part last night—Giancarlo Stanton played like a man possessed—but when the Blue Jays also win, it all feels like running in place on a treadmill you didn’t ask to be on. That’s what happens when your manager bungles an entire season: you end up scoreboard-watching every night like a desperate gambler praying for a miracle.

The truth? The Blue Jays are good, they’re in first for a reason. The Yankees, meanwhile, torched their own house in August under Aaron Boone’s “trust and vibes” management style. Now, instead of cruising, they’re kneeling at the altar of hope, begging for an AL East crown they squandered months ago. No ground gained last night, no progress—just Boone still pushing his “believe and hope” mantra. Honestly, he sounds more like a future Met than a Yankee skipper.

Bottom line: the Yankees did their job. The Rays didn’t. The win kept New York (92–68) tied atop the division with Toronto, who beat those same Rays up north. The kicker? Toronto owns the tiebreaker with their 8–5 record against the Yanks. Translation: The Yanks still need to make up a game to actually claim the East. The Jays could wrap this whole thing up as early as Saturday with a win and a Yankee stumble.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox already punched their postseason ticket Friday night, setting up as the likely opponent if the Yankees get stuck in a wild card scrap. And if that’s the case? Let’s be real—I don’t see the Yankees beating Boston. Garrett Crochet looks like a wrecking ball.

But here we are. One game at a time. The mission today: beat the O’s. Boone, for his part, dropped this gem: “Obviously, we have no control over anything.” Thanks, Einstein. Really cracked the code there. Maybe if you put the best lineup on the field, fans wouldn’t be gnawing through their fingernails nightly.

Let’s go Yanks. Keep winning—because it’s the only choice left.

BEN RICE IS A LEGIT YANKEE STAR

Talk about a guy that no one really thought about in the Yankees organization and then suddenly emerged as a better catcher defensively and offensively than the catcher the Yankees back room put all their money on.  I mean, Ben Rice is a star and Yankee fans love the guy.  He's everything we could have asked for, plus, has a great attitude, is humble and just loves to play the game.  

Yanks Go Yard says it best: "...here we are in year three for Volpe and the second season of at least somewhat regular playing time for Wells, and instead it's Rice, a former mid-tier prospect in a mid-tier system, who is stealing the show."

That’s the truth, and it stings a little. The Yankees spent the last few years hyping up Anthony Volpe as the next cornerstone shortstop and Austin Wells as the future behind the plate, yet it’s Ben Rice—a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be more than a depth piece—who’s suddenly becoming a star in the Bronx.

  

Look at the numbers: Rice is hitting .254 with 24 home runs, which puts him 28% better than the league average hitter. That’s not just good—it’s the kind of production the Yankees hoped they’d be getting out of Volpe or Wells. Instead, Rice is the one carrying himself like a polished big leaguer.

And it’s not luck. His success comes from real adjustments: a wider stance, quicker bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball in the air with authority. Add in the fact that he has the discipline to spit on pitches out of the zone, and suddenly you’ve got a hitter who looks like he’s been in the league for a decade, not a kid just breaking in. His coaches rave about his ability to read pitchers, which explains why he’s so tough to get out. Rice isn’t chasing the game—it’s the game that’s now chasing him.

Compare that to his so-called peers. Wells has managed to nudge his average up to .221, which sounds nice until you realize the rest of his offensive profile is still among the worst in the league. Volpe? Don’t even get me started. He’s batting a dismal .212, his defense has regressed, and yet Aaron Boone insists on running him out there night after night as if “trying harder” is going to magically fix him. Boone treating Volpe like his golden child is frustrating when Jose Caballero is sitting right there, giving you better defense and a better bat, but collecting dust because the manager seems allergic to change.

It’s almost comical. The Yankees poured all their trust, resources, and hype into Volpe and Wells, but it’s Rice—the “mid-tier prospect in a mid-tier system”—who’s blowing them out of the water. The kid is already showing more power, patience, and poise at the plate than his teammates who were supposed to be sure things.

And here’s the bigger picture: it proves that the backroom “projection analytics” run by a bunch of spreadsheet jockeys aren’t the crystal ball they claim to be. For all the charts and models, they missed the guy who’s now producing like an All-Star. Ben Rice is the living reminder that you can’t always measure makeup, work ethic, and adjustments with a graph.

So what’s my point? Simple. Rice is emerging as a real star, the kind of player Yankee fans can rally behind, and it’s been a joy watching him prove everyone wrong. Forget the hype machine and the overcooked projections—the numbers say it, the eye test confirms it, and the energy at Yankee Stadium backs it up. Ben Rice is here, he’s the story, and honestly, it feels pretty great rooting for a kid who wasn’t handed anything, but is taking everything.

THE ONLY WAY TO WIN IT ALL, IS TO PUT THE BEST GUYS ON THE FIELD

The Yankees’ late-season charge is no mirage, folks. This thing is real, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The difference? Leadership. Not from Aaron Boone—let’s be clear, the man couldn’t lead a parade with a marching band in front of him—but from the players. Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Trent Grisham… they’ve taken the wheel while Boone is still fumbling with the turn signal. Boone’s word salad press conferences say it all: he doesn’t know how to manage, let alone articulate what needs to be done. Thank God the players do.

Take Stanton’s fifth-inning at-bat on Thursday. Bases loaded, teammates half-watching the out-of-town scoreboard, the weight of the season hanging in the balance. Stanton ripped a three-run double down the third-base line, the swing that carried the Yankees to a 5-3 win and a sweep of the White Sox. That’s leadership. That’s clutch. 

Carlos Rodón did his part, too, limiting Chicago to three runs across six innings, earning himself a career-high 18th win. Pair him with Max Fried and you’ve got a one-two punch nasty enough to make opposing hitters fake a hamstring injury. The problem, of course, is who pitches Game 3 of a playoff series. That question has haunted this team all season. The Yankees have been crossing their fingers, hoping for an answer, but “hope” doesn’t usually translate to postseason success.

Now the standings are a drama all their own. With three games left, the Yankees and Blue Jays are tied atop the AL East. Toronto owns the tiebreaker, which means New York has to gain one game in the final series to snag the division crown. If the Yankees sweep and the Jays slip just once, champagne will pop in the Bronx.

Thursday’s win at least secured home-field for the Wild Card round—or, if they pull off the division, a bye straight into the Division Series. Either way, it didn’t have to come down to this. Boone’s incompetence, coupled with his bizarre obsession with “analytics experiments,” left the Yankees playing catch-up. Anthony Volpe has been Exhibit A: an everyday starter who turned in yet another 0-for-4, adding four free outs for the opposition. Multiply that across the season, and you start to see the wasted opportunities.

Here’s the point: put the best players on the field and go win the AL East. Period. It’s not rocket science—it’s baseball. If the Yankees don’t roll out their best lineup in October, they’re not making a deep run. Everyone knows it. Everyone sees it. Everyone gets it—except for our stupid manager.

SPRINGER IS A CRY BABY & THE YANKEES HAVE BEEN HUMMING!

The Yankees are finally playing like the team they were supposed to be months ago. It’s the classic “better late than never” act, though let’s not kid ourselves—if Aaron Boone hadn’t managed the season like it was a science fair project gone wrong, this division would already be locked up. But here we are, tied atop the AL East, and it’s glorious to watch.

The supporting cast is actually supporting for once. José Caballero hustles like his paycheck depends on it, Cody Bellinger looks like a man who found the fountain of youth in pinstripes, Trent Grisham keeps delivering, and Aaron Judge? He’s casually redefining what “carrying a team” looks like. Oh, and Max Fried has been so good it’s starting to feel unfair.

Last night was the kind of night that shifts standings and rattles psyches. The Yankees took care of business while the Blue Jays tripped over the Red Sox, and George Springer responded by breaking out his tinfoil hat collection.

Springer smoked what looked like a game-changing double down the third-base line—only to have it called foul. Cue the meltdown. He waved his arms, barked at the universe, then struck out on the very next pitch. Afterward, he practically accused MLB of running a pro-Yankees script, whining, “If they want New York to win, just tell me and give it to them already.”

Yeah, George, because MLB is famous for giving the Yankees every break. Boone gets tossed so often he should rent office space in the umpire’s room, and the Yankees routinely eat bad calls like sunflower seeds. If there’s a pro-Yankee agenda, someone forgot to send it to the umpires.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx reality show that actually matters: Judge went nuclear. A three-run rocket for No. 50, a solo shot for No. 51, and the Jays’ loss meant the Yankees climbed into a tie for first. Suddenly, the team that couldn’t string together consistency is blazing toward the finish line.

So yes, Boone has made this harder than it ever needed to be. But the bats are alive, Judge is untouchable, and the Yankees are finally acting like division champs. Now it’s just about keeping the foot on the gas.

MANFRED GETS HIS WISH: THE ROBOT UMPIRE ERA BEGINS!

We've been talking about Robot umpires since 2019 at Bleeding Yankee Blue....and now it is finally happening. Robot umpires are getting a call up to the big leagues next season. Rob Manfred's newest Frankenstein experiment is finally coming to fruition.

So love it or hate it, it doesn't matter you better start wrapping your head around it. Yesterday, MLB's 11-man competition committee that was created in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement approved the use of ABS, also known as the Automated Ball / Strike system. MLB started testing it in the minor league systems back in 2019 and it has expanded throughout the system over the last few years. Now it is graduating to the big leagues. The 11-man committee that voted on this comprised of six owners, four active players and one active umpire. One of the four active players on the committee was our own Austin Slater.

So how does it work, exactly? Stadiums will have cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. The strike zone will stay the same, so don't freak out about changes. The height of every player will be measured in Spring Training to determine their individual strike zone and to eliminate any confusion, the strike zone we all see on our television broadcasts will be the official ABS strike zone. Now you can play umpire (more than you already do) and you won't have a different vantage point as we do right now. That's refreshing.

At first, it sounded techy and maybe a little confusing but it could be a game changer. Each team gets two challenges per game (note: a team retains its challenge if it is successful), plus one in each extra inning if they have used their challenges. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap and help from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone is shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the decision.

This will be MLB’s first major rule change since making adjustments in 2024. Previous changes included a pitch clock, larger bases, and restrictions on defensive shifts and pitcher disengagements like pickoff attempts. Those changes I wasn't a fan of, I'm still not but the ABS strike zone wins me over the more and more I write about it. Oh and the more I have to watch terrible calls made by C.B. Bucknor and Dan Iassogna the more I want to see ABS in action.

Of there's one other reason I am warming to this idea....it should cut down on ejections. MLB said over 60% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year were related to arguing balls and strikes. This stat includes ejections for derogatory comments, throwing equipment while protesting calls and inappropriate conduct. 

So that means we should see less of Aaron Boone throwing temper tantrums on the field. If you are making a pro and con list that should make you happy. I'm tired of watching his circus act on the field and bad umpiring. I guess I am turning a new leaf, are you?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE PLAYOFF BOUND YANKS... BUT CAN THEY WIN IT ALL THIS TIME?

The Yankees are officially playoff-bound. Pop the champagne, right? 

Well… not so fast. The real prize isn’t sneaking in through the Wild Card door like some bargain-bin shopper on Black Friday. No, this is the Yankees. The bar has always been — and should always be — the American League East crown. That’s the standard.

Last night’s walk-off — courtesy of none other than José Caballero (not the shortstop or the catcher who decided to clock in at the 9th inning) — gave us one of those “finally, some life” moments. And Boone, in classic Boone fashion, celebrated with: “Don’t take that s–t for granted. We are in the playoffs, we’ve got a lot more to do, right? We’ve got a lot of bigger goals. But enjoy this, celebrate this right now and come get ’em tomorrow.”

Great speech, champ. Almost convincing. But here’s the problem: the Yankees should already have this division wrapped up. The fact that they’re clawing back in September says less about the roster and more about a manager who insists on shoving square pegs into round lineup holes. Boone’s obsession with his “golden boy” Volpe at short has been the hill he’s willing to die on. And yet — it was Caballero who delivered the knockout blow. Irony loves the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Jazz Chisholm is out here talking like a man who gets it: “I feel like I’m very proud but I feel like I’d be prouder with a ring on my finger and saying that we won the World Series.” That’s the mentality. Forget just “getting in” — the mission is rings. Period.

Now, credit where it’s due: I didn’t think this team would even make October with Boone steering the ship. That’s on me. But here’s where I stand firm: this squad is too good to be a one-and-done. The question is whether Boone is capable of leading them deep. Spoiler alert: history says no.

The game itself was equal parts maddening and thrilling. Eleven men stranded, offense snoozing for eight innings, then suddenly, the ninth-inning panic button gets smashed. Anthony Volpe tied it up by racing home on a wild pitch — and Caballero finished the job after a nine-pitch war, dropping a single into center that scored Judge and cracked the tension. An incredible finish, yes — but why does it always take until the brink of death for this team to show a pulse?

So here we are. Clinched, but not satisfied. There are five games left, and the AL East is still dangling out there. Can the Yankees actually grab it? Absolutely. Do I trust Boone to lead the parade? Absolutely not. If he somehow fumbles this postseason with this roster, the solution is simple: cut this guy loose and find someone who can.

But for now — congrats to the Yankees, congrats to the fans who’ve suffered through the ride, and congrats to José Caballero, the unlikely hero. One dramatic walk-off down, but the real work? 

That starts now.

BOONE GASLIGHTS BECAUSE OF HIS OBSESSION WITH VOLPE... IN MY OPINION

What kind of nonsense is Aaron Boone trying to sell us now? This guy has turned speaking in circles about injuries into an art form. There’s never any clarity, just fog. First, Anthony Volpe went from “promising young shortstop” to “worst player in baseball” faster than a Stanton moonshot. And then—poof!—out of nowhere, the front office quietly dropped the story that Volpe had been nursing a shoulder injury since May. That injury, by the way, had never once been mentioned until fans started ripping Volpe apart. The Yankees then, in my opinion, benched him and slid Jose Caballero into the lineup to stop the bleeding.

Caballero played well (of course), the fans relaxed a little, me included, and then suddenly—like we wouldn’t notice—Volpe reappeared. Problem was, he still stunk. Yet we were told, “Don’t worry, he’s injured.” Putting him back in while still hurt made zero sense, which made the whole thing feel like a cover story—in my opinion.

And now Boone’s spinning another tale—in my opinion. This time it’s Caballero with a “finger issue.” Boone said Caballero’s finger has been bugging him for months, flaring up now and then on swings. Really? Because that same “injured” Caballero went 2-for-5 with a clutch 10th-inning double and raised his OPS to .852 since arriving from Tampa Bay. That’s not an injury, that’s production. I get flare-ups in my fingers too—it’s called arthritis. Caballero is fine. Volpe, meanwhile, is not.

The bottom line is Caballero needs to play, and he knows it. The Yankees, in my opinion, are bending over backward to justify keeping Volpe in the lineup, and it’s absurd. Forget the spin—just look at the numbers. Caballero is hitting .274 with speed, defense, and 14 runs scored in just 36 games. Volpe? He’s sitting on a sad .210/.272/.396 slash line with an AL-worst .962 fielding percentage and a league-leading 19 errors at short. Analytics don’t lie, even if Boone does—in my opinion.

Caballero’s defense is sharper, his bat is hotter, and his energy is contagious. He’s not just filling in; he’s vital to the Yankees’ push. Smart baseball people expect him to start at short when October rolls around, while Volpe might be reduced to a late-inning defensive sub—if you can even call it that given his glove work. I say bench the kid forever.

So, excuse me if I don’t buy a single word Boone says. Forgive me for pointing out that Volpe, in my opinion, is one of the main reasons the Yankees are chasing the division instead of leading it. And yes, go ahead and applaud me for saying Caballero is the spark who might actually help this team steal the AL East. 

It’s going to be tight, but as long as Caballero plays, I really believe the Yankees can take it—in my opinion, of course.

THE YANKEES ARE STILL CHASING THEIR ENDING

It's been a season of running in circles. Now the question is does the regular season chase end with a Wildcard berth or with an AL East title?

I REALLY dislike when the Yankees cannot control their own destiny. That's where we are. Instead of winning more games while Toronto was slumping, now we have to wait and see how these last six games play out. Can the Yankees win the last two series against the White Sox and Orioles? Yes, but can they also win while Toronto loses to the Red Sox AND the Rays? The Yankees have more favorable matchups but, that means nothing. 

Again, the Yankees are not in control of their own destiny. I am sick to my stomach hoping the Red Sox beat Toronto while we win our games. It's a new level of sickness for me this season. My stomach is in knots just thinking about it. It doesn't change the fact that this is reality though....no matter how much I hate it and wish this wasn't the case. It also doesn't stop me from thinking about all of the games we lost that we could've gained more ground. The series against the Tigers is burned in my brain. Seriously, if we had won on September 10th we would be one game back right now. Of course, there are dozens of other games I am thinking "should've could've, would've" right now.

It's just not a good feeling with one week left in the regular season. Instead of playing strategic ball, and preparing for a clear role in the postseason we are hoping for our own success as others lose. It just brings so many other series to mind. Or moments that I personally want to forget. All of the errors (here's looking at you Anthony Volpe), blown saves (here's looking at you Devin Williams) and other disappointments (like missing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton from game action) are bad memories. Oh and all of the moments of mismanagement and game ejections for Aaron Boone can't be forgotten either.

So, this is it. Now we sit and wait to see how the Yankees end September based on their own efforts and by any spoilers. It's a tough spot to be in. It just doesn't quite feel the same when you have to root for other team's failures instead of taking care of business on your own. It's time to end on a high note....we really need it.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

A YANKEE SEE-SAW, BUT WE GOT THE WIN!

We win, we lose, we win. That's our Yankees.

The Yankees are down to their final seven regular-season games, and the finish line comes on Sunday, September 28. Six of those games will be in the Bronx—a closing homestand that screams “season finale” vibes against the White Sox (Sept. 23–25) and Orioles (Sept. 26–28).

As for tonight? Giancarlo Stanton went full Marvel superhero, belting career homer No. 450 in a 6-1 win over Baltimore. Only four legends—Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, and Harmon Killebrew—ever had more homers through their first 1,719 games. Stanton also leads all active players in career blasts, which feels like a polite way of saying: “he’s still terrifying.”

The playoff picture? The Yankees’ magic number is down to five, and thanks to the Blue Jays losing to the Royals, Toronto’s division lead shrunk to two games. That crown is still up for grabs.

On the mound, Carlos Rodón looked the part of an ace, breezing into the seventh on 87 pitches and nudging his ERA down to 3.04. He’s heating up at exactly the right time. And yes, even Anthony Volpe chipped in tonight. Sure, he’s still hitting .207, but hey, baby steps.

With Stanton flexing, Rodón cruising, and a six-game Bronx sendoff on deck, the Yankees suddenly look like a team that could snatch the AL East title. 

Shocking, I know—but don’t blink.

JUST ANOTHER STUPID LOSS TO A LAST PLACE TEAM

"...it’s Warren vs. Trevor Rogers, and let’s be honest—Warren has been a coin flip all year. Heads: solid outing. Tails: bullpen at it again in the 4th inning. Which, again, brings me back to the point: if this team wants to actually make October matter, the rotation has to learn how to carry its weight."

--Robert Casey, Bleeding Yankee Blue

I'm not saying I'm right, I'm just saying that the Yankees played a last place team, and their starter was a coin flip. And last night they lost. That means 3 games out of first place in the AL and ranking as the top Wild Card spot with a 3-game lead over Boston. But time is running out, and playing this stupid game of grab ass right before the end of the season is nerve racking for any fan... but blame the Yankees administrators and manager for inconsistency, unclear goals and a team that gets jerked around more than a snake in my clogged shower drain.  

For us fans, it's no longer fun. It's agony watching this front office and manager trot out this team. If they would just let them play, we would not be in this situation. Instead, they sit Caballero for Volpe like they think no one is gonna notice and Volpe is 0-3 again. By the way, I thought Volpe was hurt? But no... they lie, they gaslight us all to try and prove to the Yankee fan base that they know what they're doing.  

Caballero was consistent while he was filling in for Volpe.  Nearly every night he was getting a hit, scoring a run, knocking in an RBI.  Volpe? 1 for his last 7 in 2 games. Trust me, there is a significant difference.

This is just me looking at the numbers every day while Cabellaro was the starting shortstop.  You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know that he is consistent and making an impact, and so naturally that translates into making gut decisions, meaning, obviously this guy needs to be on the field every night, and that's just his batting numbers... his defense is better than Volpe as well and so I ask... why did Boone sneak Volpe back on the field?

The Yankees spent Friday night in Baltimore doing what they’ve done far too often this season: wasting opportunities and letting Aaron Boone’s decision-making hang over them like a rain cloud. They managed just one measly hit off Rogers in six innings, then made a late push against the Orioles’ bullpen, only to fizzle out in a 4-2 loss at Camden Yards.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. at least gave us something to cheer about, launching a two-run bomb in the seventh that officially punched his ticket into the 30-30 club. Great for Jazz, not so great for the Yankees, who once again flirted with momentum but refused to commit.

So, what was the issue? Was Rogers lights-out? Was Anthony Volpe’s 0-for-3 just another brick in the wall of offensive frustration? Or maybe it’s Boone treating his lineup card like a Sudoku puzzle. I’ll take “a little bit of all three” for 500, Alex.

Meanwhile the Blue Jays got walloped by the Royals, gift-wrapping a chance for the Yankees to gain ground. Naturally, they said “no thanks” and stayed three games back in the AL East with just eight left, and don’t forget Toronto owns the tiebreaker. Yes, the Yankees still hold the top wild-card spot ahead of the Astros and Red Sox, but it’s hard to feel secure when inconsistency is the house style and Boone’s game management makes you wonder if he’s secretly working for the opposition.

Look, leadership matters. Real leadership creates clarity, unity, and direction. It builds trust, inspires people, and gives everyone a fighting chance. Boone, on the other hand, doesn’t even seem to be fielding the right nine players on a given night. The man couldn’t lead a marching band down Broadway, let alone the Yankees into October glory.

More baseball today. Maybe a win. Maybe another comedy of errors. Either way, Yankee fans, keep the rosary beads close.

THE YANKEES CAN WIN THE AL EAST IF BOONE DOESN'T GET IN HIS OWN WAY

Better late than never.   I guess the idea is to be red hot going into the playoffs than not.  And right now the Yankees have a winning streak and to be honest, it's great that the Yanks are playing a team like the Orioles right now.  

Let’s rewind a few nights. The Yankees smacked the Twins around 10-5, and Trent Grisham is apparently on his “pretend I’m Barry Bonds” tour again. The guy parked two balls in the seats, Cody Bellinger added his own fireworks, and suddenly the Yankees looked like an actual offense.

Aaron Judge, meanwhile, went 3-for-4 and raised his average to a league-best .329, because he’s just casually carrying the entire team on his back like it’s no big deal. With that win, the Yankees crept within four games of Toronto in the AL East.

Now, here’s the rub: Luis Gil. Four and two-thirds innings. Nine hits. Five runs (four earned). Not exactly the dominance you want from a supposed starter. It’s like clockwork with this staff—another day, another short outing that forces the bullpen to punch in before the 5th inning. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that Aaron Boone managing a bullpen is like me trying to assemble IKEA furniture—chaotic, inefficient, and guaranteed to break at the worst possible moment. The pen deserves better.

But then, baseball giveth. Last night, Max Fried was absolutely filthy. Seven innings, 13 strikeouts, and his 18th win of the year. Yankees blank the Orioles 7-0, and suddenly hope feels possible again. Fried was a gift. The kind of performance that makes you think maybe, just maybe, the Yankees can claw back some ground in the division.

Tonight it’s Warren vs. Trevor Rogers, and let’s be honest—Warren has been a coin flip all year. Heads: solid outing. Tails: bullpen at it again in the 4th inning. Which, again, brings me back to the point: if this team wants to actually make October matter, the rotation has to learn how to carry its weight.

Now, credit where due: the Yankees are riding a little winning streak, and momentum matters. They’ve got a stretch of home games against opponents that aren’t exactly setting the league on fire.They play the Chisox and O's. Translation: no excuses. They can Win. Don’t make boneheaded Boone mistakes, don’t yank starters too early, and for the love of all things pinstriped, don’t trot Anthony Volpe out there to do his best impression of Robinson Canó jogging to first. What a waste of a shortstop.

This team needs to act like a runaway train—10 straight wins, no looking back, smash everything in sight. That’s how you clinch the AL East. Otherwise? We’re back to the same tired story: the Yankees leave it to the last week, pray for perfection, and Boone stands at the podium shrugging like, “What do you want me to do?”

As it stands, the Yankees are three games up on the Red Sox and Mariners for the first Wild Card spot. The Sox (83-70) and Mariners (84-69) are chewing each other’s ankles off. Meanwhile, the Yankees are three games behind the Blue Jays for the division. Translation: anything can still happen.

So now we wait. Will the Yankees act like contenders, or will Boone trip over his own bullpen phone and remind us why we all drink in October? Stay tuned.

CAN WE CONTINUE TO WIN WITH THIS PITCHING STAFF & BULLPEN MISMANAGEMENT?

Can the Yankees actually stumble their way into October—and if they do, can they win more than a round before we all start doom-scrolling again? On paper, sure. They’ve got Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, who are about as close to playoff aces as you can get. But baseball doesn’t end after two games in a series, and the Yankees’ rotation has a neon sign flashing: “No. 3 starter wanted.”

Luis Gil? Fun, talented, but still gives you that feeling like you’re sitting on a plane during turbulence—not quite sure if you’ll land smoothly or end up white-knuckling the armrest. Cam Schlittler? He’s had his moments, no doubt. But last night in the 10-9 survival act against the Twins, he did his best impression of a gas can in a fireworks factory.

Fried and Rodón will get the ball for Games 1 and 2, but if the Yankees need a Game 3 hero, Schlittler’s in the running—though pitching like he did Tuesday night won’t exactly book him a postseason spot. After coughing up a nine-run lead and failing to survive the fifth inning, he admitted the obvious:

“You’re not going to get those opportunities when you walk five against a team that’s not even in the race,” Schlittler said after the game. “Just got to be better.”

Translation: He knows he blew it, and we all saw it too.

The offense, at least, decided to do their job. Ten runs, big swings, fireworks—fantastic. But of course, it came one night after the bats went completely silent. That’s the Yankees for you: one night they’re a juggernaut, the next they’re impersonating a beer-league softball team that showed up hungover.

Let’s be real, though—the bigger issue is the same one that’s haunted the Bronx for years: pitching. The bullpen is a nightly horror show, and Aaron Boone manages it like he’s picking names out of a hat. Between Cam wobbling, the relievers collapsing, and Boone pressing the wrong buttons, it’s like watching a team audition for “How Not to Survive October.”

So, back to the big question: do you really trust anyone not named Fried or Rodón in a playoff game? And how can this bullpen suddenly flip a switch when it’s been stuck in meltdown mode all year?

Honestly, I don’t see it. This team might claw into the playoffs, but getting past Round 1? That feels like pure fantasy.

YANKEES SINK TANK

The Yankees didn’t just lose on Monday night — they face-planted. A grand, egg-laying spectacle. Two measly hits, a bullpen meltdown, and a 7-0 thud against the Twins at Target Field.

“Not on purpose, that’s for sure,” cracked Ryan McMahon. And really, that’s the insult: this was the Twins. A team the Yankees are supposed to treat like a speed bump, not a brick wall. Instead, with the AL East slipping further away thanks to Aaron Boone’s ongoing managerial gymnastics, the Yankees now have to play near-perfect baseball. Spoiler: no one plays perfect baseball.

Meanwhile, Twins righty Simeon Woods Richardson treated Target Field like his personal living room, casually shutting down MLB’s highest-scoring team for six innings. No runs, no fireworks, no excuses. He’s now silenced the league’s most prolific home run crew twice in 22 games, which almost feels rude. Carlos Rodón? Tagged with his ninth loss, despite a respectable six innings with two runs allowed.

So here we are: Yankees at 83-67, clinging to the first Wild Card slot. The Red Sox are lurking like a horror movie villain, and the AL East crown is now five games away, which may as well be five miles when you’re running in quicksand. Fans wanted a division title. What they’re staring at instead is a Wild Card scramble. Disaster feels like the right word.

And let’s not pretend otherwise: this pressure cooker is built by Boone and Brian Cashman. Wrong lineups, wrong decisions, wrong everything. Had the Yankees truly rolled with their best all season, maybe they wouldn’t be gasping for air now. Instead, they need to flip the switch immediately — or the only crown they’ll see this October is the one on Aaron Judge’s bobblehead.

CARLOS RODON HAS BECOME A TRUE YANKEE LEADER

Carlos Rodón’s Yankee story has been nothing short of a redemption tour. When he first landed in the Bronx, the lefty looked like he couldn’t throw a strike if the strike zone was the size of Yankee Stadium. But fast-forward to now, and he’s turned into exactly what the Yankees paid for: an ace with bite on the mound and leadership in the clubhouse.

That transformation makes it fitting that Rodón is the Yankees’ 2025 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball’s annual honor recognizing players who go above and beyond—both on the field and in the community.

Together with his wife, Ashley, Rodón launched the Rodón Foundation, which supports couples navigating pregnancy complications and infertility. One of their biggest initiatives is the “Willow Grant,” named for their daughter, which provides $10,000 to $20,000 annually to 25 couples still fighting for their dream of starting a family after enduring miscarriages or pregnancy loss.

And it’s not just check-writing philanthropy—Rodón also rolls up his sleeves. Back in June, he volunteered at Bottomless Closet in New York City, an organization that helps women in difficult financial situations prepare to enter the workforce.

The Yankees have a strong track record with this award: Aaron Judge brought it home in 2023, Derek Jeter in 2009, while Ron Guidry and Don Baylor earned the honor back in the mid-80s. Rodón now carries that torch, showing he’s not just a comeback story on the mound—he’s the kind of player Clemente himself would have been proud of.

I have always believed that Rodon would be a stud in the Bronx, and I am thrilled to see that he is having such a great personal season but now getting this nod. It's refreshing.