MLB Inventory Report: Yankees Are Inside 2 Video games of Blue Jays. Can They Win AL East?

Immediately, the Yankees are proper again within the race with an actual probability to win the American League East.

After taking two out of three in opposition to the Blue Jays this previous weekend, the Yankees are simply two video games behind Toronto for the division lead. Their 11-3 run since getting humiliated by the Purple Sox two weeks in the past has allowed them to shut the hole within the standings. New York holds a five-game lead for the highest AL wild card spot with 19 video games remaining on the schedule. 

That is nearly the place the Bronx Bombers hoped they might be after they opened the ultimate month of the common season with a frightening schedule. They wanted to show they may win in opposition to formidable groups moreover simply beating up the basement dwellers. So sure, the Yankees deserve credit score for going 4-2 in opposition to the Astros and Blue Jays, however they’re not out of the woods simply but. 

A few powerful matchups in opposition to the Tigers (at dwelling) and the nemesis Purple Sox (at Fenway) are on faucet starting Tuesday. These two collection might outline the Yankees’ season. 

What are among the considerations surrounding the Yankees that would maintain them again from not solely successful the AL East, however from occurring a deep October run? What do the Yankees must do to place the Blue Jays away for good?

Bench Volpe

(Picture by Jim McIsaac/Getty Photos)

The Yankees struggling shortstop had one other tough day on the diamond in Sunday’s collection finale. Anthony Volpe went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and an error. His 19 errors this season are the second-most amongst 124 certified place gamers, trailing solely Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Volpe’s batting common (.207), on-base proportion (.269) and BABIP (.241) are all second-worst amongst all 147 certified major-league hitters. His 82 wRC+ is ranked 141st out of 147.

The Yankees will not be giving themselves their finest probability to win after they proceed to stay with Volpe, who has been a black gap on offense and a legal responsibility on protection. The spunky, base-stealing Jose Caballero is a clear-cut improve at shortstop. The longer the Yankees wait to bench Volpe, the extra they’re hurting their probabilities of successful the division.

Tighten up the fielding

We noticed some encouraging performs on the sphere these previous two weeks, as Cody Bellinger’s rocket from proper discipline on Saturday, erasing the potential tying run, represented the highest spotlight of the Blue Jays collection. However the Yankees are nonetheless seemingly making no less than one defensive mistake on a nightly foundation. 

Exterior of third baseman Ryan McMahon — who “seems to be like he’s slipping right into a heat bathtub when he picks up a groundball,” in accordance with Aaron Boone — the membership must tighten up the fielding with a view to advance on a deep postseason run. New York is tied for twenty first in MLB in fielding proportion whereas committing the fourth-most errors within the AL. As of now, they’re simply one other World Collection Sport 5, fifth-inning meltdown away from an early October exit. 

Defend Aaron Choose

(Picture by Jim McIsaac/Getty Photos)

It’s unattainable to examine the Yankees successful the division, or a championship, with out Choose ripping the duvet off the ball. To ensure that that to occur, the slugger has to work his means again to full well being.

Choose returned to proper discipline on Friday for the primary time since late July, and it was clear to anybody watching that he was enjoying damage. Not solely will opposing groups proceed to show Choose’s proper flexor pressure, however it will be a catastrophe if he worsens the damage by overcompensating or altering his mechanics on the plate.

If slotting in Choose at DH and giving Giancarlo Stanton the vast majority of begins in proper discipline is what’s finest for the group, the Yankees must do no matter it takes to guard their elite hitter.

NOTES AND QUOTES

Helsley’s New York displacement

(Picture by Evan Bernstein/Getty Photos)

From pitch tipping to shifting roles, reliever Ryan Helsley has been a significant disappointment since he was traded to the Mets at July’s commerce deadline. The previous Cardinals nearer, now struggling to adapt to a setup function earlier than giving the ball to Mets nearer Edwin Diaz, has an 11.45 ERA in 14 aid appearances together with his new membership. In a latest interview, Helsley indicated the summer season commerce has been a problem for him.

“It’s clearly arduous coming from a smaller metropolis and a smaller market, after which coming to New York Metropolis, the place all the pieces is so hectic and loopy,” he stated. “I’m simply making an attempt to slot in and determine my function and simply attempt to get the perfect out of me and assist the group win.”

The Mets have been working arduous to attempt to reset Helsley in an try to revitalize the two-time All-Star nearer. He didn’t pitch within the group’s collection in opposition to the Reds, however there might be high-leverage alternatives for Helsley in a four-game collection in opposition to the Phillies this week. 

“First time being traded, particularly in-season, all the pieces’s sort of hectic,” Helsley stated. “That stuff sort of occurs. However I really feel good. My physique feels good. Simply gotta maintain going.”

Julio’s sturdy second half 

For the fourth consecutive yr, Mariners heart fielder Julio Rodriguez is having fun with a terrific second half of the season. Since July 11, Rodriguez’s 19 dwelling runs and 45 RBI lead the key leagues. In that span, he has a 3.1 fWAR (2nd in MLB), 63 hits (2nd), .652 slugging proportion (third), 180 wRC+ (4th), and .309 batting common (sixth). 

On Saturday, the 24-year-old hit his twenty ninth and thirtieth dwelling run of the yr. Then on Sunday, he stole his twenty fifth base of the season to make some historical past. Based on researcher Sarah Langs, Rodriguez is the second participant in MLB historical past with three seasons of 25+ dwelling runs and 25+ stolen bases earlier than turning 25, becoming a member of Darryl Strawberry. The Mariners will want extra of that elite efficiency from Rodriguez to get the place they need to go.

LOOKING AHEAD

There may very well be important motion within the NL East standings this week because the Mets and Phillies face off for the final time within the common season. The Phillies host the Mets in a four-game matchup with a seven-game divisional lead. Will the Phillies bury the Mets — making a double-digit deficit within the always-unruly environment of Residents Financial institution Park? Or will the Mets decide up the place they left off, after they swept the Phillies at dwelling a few weeks in the past? Buckle up for what guarantees to be a compelling rivalry collection.

Deesha Thosar covers Main League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand coated the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Every day Information. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Lengthy Island and now lives in Queens. Observe her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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