The last time the New York Yankees turned around a playoff series after losing the first two games, they still had CC Sabathia in their pitching staff, who is now retired and a member of the Hall of Fame, while Aaron Judge was a substitute. That comeback came in the 2017 divisional battle against Cleveland, with big hits from Greg Bird and Didi Gregorius, two others who are no longer in the majors.
A lot has happened since then and the Bombers have not been able to repeat the difficult feat. The last three times they lost the first two games of a postseason series, they were eliminated: twice against the Astros in the American League pennant race in 2017 and 2022, and once against the Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.
This has been the trend in the present century. Of the eight series in which the Yankees have started 0-2, they have only managed to come back twice, the aforementioned case against Cleveland in 2017 and the 2001 Division Series against Oakland. That duel, 24 years ago, is well remembered for Derek Jeter’s play through the infield to put Jeremy Giambi out at home plate, who would have tied a game that ended 1-0.
But the curse of a losing start did not always hit the Yankees, who won four World Series after succumbing in the first two games of the Fall Classic between 1956 and 1996:
- 1956 vs. Brooklyn Dodgers: lost the first two games and won the title in seven games
- 1958 vs. Milwaukee Braves: lost the first two games and won the title in seven games
- 1978 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: lost the first two games and came back with four straight wins
- 1996 vs. Atlanta Braves: they lost the first two games but came back with four straight wins
In that 40-year span between 1956 and 1996, the Yankees lost three series in which they had started 0-2 down:
- 1963 World Series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: lost the first two games and were swept 4-0
- 1976 World Series vs. Cincinnati Reds: lost the first two games and were swept 4-0
- 1980 Championship Series vs. Kansas City Royals: lost the first two games and were eventually swept 3-0
A comeback against history
The Yankees have lost the first two games of the Division Series against the Blue Jays. Toronto has dominated across the board with 23 runs between the two games and exceptional pitching from its starters. The New Yorkers, on the other hand, have not produced up to expectations with the bat and none of their pitchers have been spared from punishment.
They are now forced to win three games in a row to stay alive this season, something that very few have achieved in history. Of the 90 teams that have won the first two games of a playoff series, 80 (88.9%) have come out on top, according to MLB data.
In the Division Series, with the current five-game format (2-2-1), of the 34 winners of the first two games, 31 (91.2%) have advanced to the Championship Series, including 20 sweeps. The last team to come from behind in these circumstances was the Yankees in 2017 against Cleveland.
Perhaps that’s why the Blue Jays players don’t trust themselves, as they trained on their day off to keep up the pace and look for the sweep. “For me, we’re 0-0. It’s a great team. I know it. They know it. The whole locker room knows it. So you’ve got to go all out on Tuesday. And 0-0, and we’re ready to go,” said outfielder George Springer, a message that invites caution.
For me, we’re 0-0. They’re a great team. I know that. They know it. The whole dressing room knows it
The Yankees were already against the wall in the Wild Card against Boston, as they lost the first game, but managed to recover and get two wins in a row against their traditional opponent.
It is now unclear whether they will be able to right the ship and put pressure on Toronto, who have looked very comfortable. Their ability to put the ball in play, long-range hitting with runners on base and the great pitching of their starters are compelling reasons to think more about the Blue Jays’ sweep than the Yankees’ comeback.
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