New York Yankees: AL East now their division to lose
After the Boston Red Sox exploded out of the gate in April, the AL East looked poised to be among the most contentious divisions in baseball. Now that the two rivals are playing closer to what we expected preseason, it’s the New York Yankees division to lose.
When the 2017 postseason concluded, the New York Yankees were already considered to be heavy favorites in their division. Many suspected a return to the ALCS was inevitable as well. Then the New York Yankees added reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton, and it was hard to say for sure if the Yankees or Astros were American League favorites.
But in April our annual tradition of recalibrating our expectations began. The Boston Red Sox looked invincible in their first few weeks while the Yankees were a far cry from what their fans expected of them. Stanton had weeks where he’d receive more boos in Yankee Stadium than cheers.
Then once again, we had to recalibrate our expectations. The Red Sox regressed to their meanwhile the Yankees got hot and progressed to theirs. Now, with a narrow division lead, it’s the Yankees’ division to lose.
Everyone doing their part
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In his first month in New York, Giancarlo Stanton had a wRC+ just under league average at 99. For most MLB players, that would be fine. Being slight below average in the highest level of your sport is respectable.
But Stanton is a former MVP being paid more than anyone in the sport. So naturally, he corrected course.
So far in May, his wRC+ has skyrocketed to 205. He’s batting over .300, and his OPS is 1.170 on the month as well. If the Yankees stay hot and can pull away from the Red Sox, Stanton’s progression to the mean may be the symbolic turning of the tables in retrospect.
One of baseball media’s favorite stories since Aaron Judge took the league by storm in 2017 was anticipating a regression. Sure, we saw a bit of that in the first month or two of the second half in 2017. But he’s kept the sophomore slump at bay in 2018.
Judge as 11 home runs in 40 games—a pace that would bring him to 45 by season’s end. His wRC+ is 179, and his OPS is 1.042. There’s no sophomore slump to be found and little indication that a significant one will arise later in the season. After all our speculation, Aaron Judge might be that good.
Above average on both sides
With the Yankees’ offensive prowess, they only require average pitching to succeed. So naturally, they’re well above average on that front too.
The league average ERA in 2018 is 4.14, and the Yankees’ staff is at 3.66. Standouts on the staff include started Luis Severino whose FIP is just 1.97 with an ERA+ of 212. Meanwhile closer Aroldis Chapman is shushing 2017 doubters with his impressive ERA+ of 305.
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The New York Yankees are finally firing on all cylinders, and if they keep it up, it’s their division—and perhaps league—to lose.