The Yankees are close to locking up a postseason spot. They could even steal the AL East crown, though the Blue Jays remain two games ahead with only six games left on the schedule.
New York has been on fire since August, winning 28 of their last 42. It feels like the team has hit its stride at just the right time. But while fans are focused on the standings, the real drama might come from Boston and Toronto. The Red Sox and Blue Jays face off this week, and many Yankee fans are asking: who should we root for?
Manager Aaron Boone has a simple answer-no one. “I always say careful what you wish for,” Boone said on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast. “You might be rooting for the wrong thing even when you think it’s obvious. Handle what we can handle.”
Why Boone Is Pumping the Brakes
The Yankees are in a tricky spot. They’re ahead of the Red Sox by three games, but they’ve struggled badly in the rivalry this year, winning only four of 13 meetings. Rooting for Boston to beat Toronto could give the Yankees a path to the division. But if the Sox get hot, it could also tighten the Wild Card race.
That’s why Boone wants focus. The Yankees still have games against the White Sox and Orioles-teams with losing records. Win those, and the math gets a lot easier.
The High Stakes of Winning the East
The difference between finishing first or second is huge. A division crown means skipping the three-game Wild Card Series and going straight to the AL Division Series. That would let Gerrit Cole and the bullpen recharge before facing top-tier competition.
The odds remain long. FanGraphs puts New York’s chance of winning the division at just 13%. Still, this offense leads the majors in both runs and home runs, and they’ve been the league’s hottest club for more than a month. If Toronto stumbles, the door is wide open.
For now, Boone’s message is steady: don’t get distracted by scoreboard drama. The Yankees’ best chance is still in their own hands.
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