The Yankees are putting pressure on themselves game after game and time is running out on them. Every game counts at this point of the season, and with 26 games left there is no room for mistakes. They need to make adjustments in their batting order and their pitching staff in order to win every game they can.
They are on the brink of turning their season around for the better. The Yankees need to win every series, and start to sweep teams so they will be able to secure the first or second AL wildcard spot.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers are currently tied for the second AL wildcard spot, and the Yankees are 3.5 games behind them. Although it seem like the remainder of the season is slipping away from the Yankees with every win they give themselves more time.
They are currently 5.5 games out of the lead in the AL East, and that is not an untouchable lead that the Blue Jays have. The Yankees have a great opportunity if they stay consistent on every level. The Yankees need to play the best baseball they have played all season. They have plenty of time and they have to get the job done against their division.
This series against Toronto is very important for the Yankees and they need to take care of business. They have already won the first game of the series and they need to get a sweep. The reason they need a sweep in this series is because they need to build momentum, and win at home.
Winning in their house is important because they have the support of the crowd and the bottom of every inning. Toronto is a great team, but they have not run away with the division this season and are still close. If the Yankees win this series they will move up 2 games which would be good for their playoff chances.
Roster expansion has helped the Yankees especially in their bullpen with players such as Chasen Shreve, Adam Warren, and Luis Severino. These players will be able to help the pitching staff as they try to make this season that was going downhill make a complete turnaround.
There have been some players that have been struggling on the team such as Aaron Judge. Judge went 0-3 yesterday with 3 strikeouts and his batting average has dipped severely low to .169 and that is a problem.
Didi Gregorius has also been struggling at the plate. In his last 7 at bats he went 0-7 with 3 strikeouts. They Yankees are going to need production from both of these players in order to win.
The Yankees have their work cut out for them and they need to win big. After this series against Toronto they will face off against Tampa Bay. They will need to go into that series playing the same way they would play against the Blue Jays. They have to play better than their competition or they will get upset by a team that has no chance of making the playoffs.