Yankees’ Final Grade Before Playoffs? Meh

The New York Yankees are down to their final four regular season games. As the postseason approaches, ESPN’s David Schoenfield handed out his final grades for all 30 clubs before the playoffs begin.

The Yankees, who have clinched a playoff spot and remain in the mix for the American League East division title, received a B.

“It has been a wild ride for the Yankees — it seems like forever ago that Gerrit Cole went down in March with Tommy John surgery,” Schoenfield wrote. “Aaron Judge is having another historic offensive season, topping a 200 OPS+ for the third time. …

“The Yankees lead the majors in home runs by a big margin — who had a 30-plus-homer season from Trent Grisham on their bingo card? — and Giancarlo Stanton popped up midseason looking like Miami Marlins Stanton,” Schoenfield continued. “Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have also been a great one-two punch for the rotation.

Yankees' Final Grade Before Playoffs? Meh

Sep 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images / Mark Smith-Imagn Images

“But mixed in with all these positive results have been a bunch of negatives as well: Sloppy defense and baserunning and, most concerning as we head into October, a wildly inconsistent bullpen that ranks 22nd in the majors in win probability added,” Schoenfield noted. “If the bullpen can get hot — and there is indeed the depth and talent for that to happen — the Yankees will be tough to beat in the postseason.”

The only American League clubs to receiver higher grades are the Toronto Blue Jays (A-), Seattle Mariners (B+) and the Cleveland Guardians (B+).

Also getting a B were the Detroit Tigers and the Athletics. The Boston Red Sox, you ask? C+. New York has a three-game lead over the Red Sox in the American League Wild Card standings.

Entering play Thursday, FanGraphs gives the Yankees a 46.1% chance of winning the division. The struggling Blue Jays check in at 53.7%.

But New York has a 14.5% chance of winning the World Series. The only club with better odds? That would be the red-hot Mariners (16.7%), who have won the AL West for the first time since 2001.

Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more!

Related Posts

White Sox Add Derek Hill After Tauchman Knee Injury

The White Sox claimed outfielder Derek Hill off waivers to serve as a replacement for the injured Mike Tauchman.  Tauchman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee meniscus tear and is expected to undergo surgery. Hill was designated for assignment by the Marlins earlier in the week before being claimed by […]

Charlie Morton will start series finale for Atlanta Braves

Ol’ Uncle Charlie will end his career in a Braves uniform and he’ll even make an appearance on the mound, to boot.

Red Sox reveal interesting starting rotation for crucial series against Tigers in regular season finale | Sporting News

In a must win series the Sox have wheeled out some interesting guys to start on the mound.

Cubs May Wind Up Being Happy with Quiet Trade Deadline as Youth Movement Looms

The Chicago Cubs are operating over the next week and hopefully next month with the mindset that this could be the last set of games — for however many there a

SO SAD: Boѕton Red Sox fаnѕ аnd MLB Communіty ѕhed teаrѕ аnd рrаy followіng GM Alex Corа’ѕ heаrtbreаkіng аnnouncement Concernіng..

Boston Red Sox fans and MLB Community shed tears and pray following GM Alex Cora’s heartbreaking announcement Concerning.. An atmosphere of shock,

Cubs Eye Former Cy Young Finalist After Shocking DFA Move

Could Alek Manoah Be the Cubs’ Next Reclamation Project? There’s Upside Worth Exploring The Cubs have made a habit out of diving into the reclamation market every…