The New York Yankees beat the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night to improve to 10-2 for just the fourth time since 1920 and the first time since 2003. The team made it to the World Series each time previously.
New York’s 82-80 record last season and a World Series drought dating back to 2009 make a return to the Fall Classic the minimum requirement.
Fortunately for manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman, this year’s squad is showing the qualities of a championship-caliber team, winning their first four series, which was highlighted by the season-opening sweep of Houston on the road.
During their scorching start, they’ve received contributions from all parts of the lineup and pitching staff.
On the road trip to Houston and Arizona, the bullpen picked up some slack from a starting rotation that wasn’t going deep into games, posting a combined 1.27 ERA across 28.1 innings. Since returning to the Bronx, the starters have shined, with Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Carlos Rodon all throwing at least six shutout innings.
Offensively, Juan Soto and Anthony Volpe have been hot since Opening Day, while Giancarlo Stanton and Alex Verdugo caught fire once the team returned to New York.
Stanton was 3-for-20 with one walk, one home run and 11 strikeouts in 21 plate appearances against Houston and Arizona. But in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium, Stanton is batting .350 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBI.
“I feel like we’ve been a solid offense night in and night out. That said, we don’t have everyone going off at the plate right now,” Boone told the media after Monday’s 7-0 win over the Marlins. “It’s been a little bit of everyone that’s allowed us to get off to this start.”
There are still 150 games between now and the playoffs when this Yankees team’s real measure of success will be determined. But if history is anything to go by, this team has a chance to make some real noise.
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