The Yankees have played below expectations so far, but with a few adjustments, the team can go on a run ahead of the playoffs.
It’s officially the All-Star Break, which means it’s the unofficial halfway point of the 2021 MLB Season. The Yankees sit at a record of 46-43, which is certainly underwhelming, to say the least, and are fighting for a Wildcard Spot in mid-July.
However, all hope is far from lost, and the team is more than capable of coming through strong in the final two and a half months of 2021 to make a playoff push. Albeit, that will take some adjustments from the team and moves from up-top that need to start taking shape instantly.
Yankees Need a Big Deadline
Synonymous with July in MLB is the Trade Deadline. Big names are expected to be on the market this offseason, including the likes of Trevor Story, Joey Gallo, and Jose Berrios. The Yankees are in need of some strong starting pitching and even some offensive firepower, so it’s safe to say the Yankees and Brian Cashman will be making plenty of phone calls in the next few weeks. Whether or not they actually do anything, though, remains to be seen.
Acquiring a big-name bat, like Story or Gallo, will certainly re-energize the team and hopefully add more life to the squad. Moreso, adding another top pitcher like Berrios to compliment Gerrit Cole and (eventually) Luis Severino will fortify the rotation for a playoff run.
Remain Consistent
The Yankees entered the All-Star Break on a little bit of a hot streak, winning four of their last six games and taking two out of three in Houston against the Astros. Although the final game of that set wasn’t necessarily ideal, the Yanks still took a series against a top AL team on their turf, and if they’re gonna start a big run, now would be the time. The Yankees will be playing eight of their next 10 games against the Boston Red Sox, and they’ll have to come out strong in the second half to continue their hot streak. The worst thing for the Yankees right now is to meddle at around .500 for the foreseeable future.
Obviously, the season has left a lot to be desired over the first few months, but we all know that this team has the talent to make an impact and go on a run. However, games aren’t played on paper, and if the Bombers don’t adjust in the second half, they can expect to be going home in October, and not in the Playoffs.