For the first time in 15 years, the Yankees are in the Fall Classic.
It comes after a regular season that featured a big offseason splash, some early highs and then some concerning lows before a big finish.
noti.group’s Zach Braziller takes a look at some of the season’s defining moments.
Dec. 6: Yankees trade for Juan Soto
In a blockbuster move that set incredibly high expectations for the coming season, the Yankees land Soto and Trent Grisham from the Padres in exchange of pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and Drew Thorpe and catcher Kyle Higashioka. The move works well for both teams. The Yankees reach the World Series with Soto delivering the clinching three-run homer in Game 5 against the Guardians, while the Padres make the NLDS as King and Higashioka are major contributors to a 93-win team.
March 31: Yankees sweep rival Astros to open season
You couldn’t have scripted a better start to the season. The Yankees go to Houston and take all four games from the hated Astros. In the opener, Soto saves the game by throwing out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning and he drives in the winning run in the finale off closer Josh Hader, also in the final inning. The Yankees come from behind in two of the wins for their first 4-0 start since 2003.
May 18: Luis Gil strikes out 14, continuing breakout season
The rookie right-hander delivers a brilliant performance in a win over the White Sox in The Bronx, striking out 14 to win his fifth straight decision. At this point, Gil has given up two runs over his past 24 ¹/₃ innings spanning four starts. He is one of the major reasons the Yankees are able to not only survive without injured staff ace Gerrit Cole, but thrive, winning 49 of their first 70 games.
June 2: Soto’s ninth-inning homer caps sweep of Giants
Trailing by a run, Juan Soto takes Giants closer Camilo Doval deep for a two-run shot in the ninth inning, giving the Yankees the lead. They complete the sweep of the Giants to finish an impressive 7-2 road trip as part of a season-high, eight-game winning streak.
June 19: Gerrit Cole returns from the IL
The reigning AL Cy Young award winner returns from an elbow injury that cost him significant time. Cole isn’t quite himself at the outset, allowing two runs over four innings against the Orioles in his debut, and his 3.41 ERA in 17 regular-season starts isn’t vintage Cole either, but the Yankees ace improves as the season goes along.
June 26: Aaron Boone benches Gleyber Torres
Torres sits for two games in the midst of a deep slump that coincides with him not hustling on a ground ball the night before against the Mets. Boone calls it a “reset.” The potential free agent takes off afterward and becomes the answer to the Yankees’ problems in the leadoff spot. On Aug. 16, the 27-year-old Torres is inserted into the top spot in the batting order, and has hit .310 since that day.
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July 27: Yankees trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Yankees land the talented infielder from the Marlins a few days before the trade deadline, a move that improves their top-heavy lineup’s length. Chisholm homers four times and drives in eight runs in his first three games as a Yankee, helping them sweep the NL East-leading Phillies in Philadelphia. Chisholm produces an .825 OPS across 46 games in pinstripes, while playing a solid third base, a new position for him.
Aug. 14: Aaron Judge hits 300th home run
Judge makes history with his milestone homer in a 10-2 rout of the hapless White Sox, becoming the fastest player to reach the plateau. It comes after Chicago intentionally walked the scorching Soto ahead of Judge. “I was mad about the intentional walk, so that kind of fueled it,” Judge says afterward.
Sept. 4: Clay Holmes removed as closer
After Holmes allows a walk-off grand slam to the Rangers for his 11th blown save of the year, Boone makes a change in the back end of his bullpen. Boone says the Yankees will get a “little creative” with the job. The reality is Luke Weaver takes over and runs with the opportunity. He goes 8-for-9 in save opportunities, including the postseason, and Holmes pitches relatively well in lower leverage spots before giving up runs in Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS.
Sept. 26: Yankees clinch AL East
After falling short the previous two days against the rival Orioles, Cole pitches the Yankees past Baltimore and to their second AL East crown in three years with 6 ²/₃ innings of shutout ball. Giancarlo Stanton homers and drives in four runs and Judge also goes deep in the clincher. The win enables the Yankees to give some players needed rest for the final regular-season series of the year against the Pirates.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
