The New York Yankees had a brilliant start to the season. They were able to win every series since Opening Day until they met the Toronto Blue Jays for the second series this regular season. Nevertheless, the NY side is 12-6 at the moment. Still, they look very strong as they are leading the American League East division. The Baltimore Orioles are close second with 11-6. But it has been a remarkable transition from where they were last season and to where they are right now. Last year, the Bronx Bombers failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Moreover, they finished with an awful 82-80 record in 2023. It was their worst season in the last 30 years.
However, after the first 16 games of the new season, the Yankees managed to win twelve already. But speaking about what has been the biggest difference for the NY side in the ongoing season, the first name that comes on top of everybody is Juan Soto. The Dominican superstar is the best hitter in baseball. Moreover, the Yankees Nation expected a lot from him. And it is fair to say that he is delivering already. But it is not just the four-time Silver Slugger winner, as several other hitters have contributed to the team’s success so far.
Yankees Offense Power Them To The Top Of MLB Rankings
According to Jesse Yomtov of USA Today, the Yankees look like they are ready to compete in the American League East after more than a couple of weeks in the 2024 season. So far, the sample size is quite small. However, the fans can get an idea of what they can expect from the next six to seven months of MLB. However, the big concern for the Yankees has been the absence of their ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. The 2023 AL Cy Young winner might not return to the lineup for another month or more owing to right elbow inflammation. And the absence of Cole is making the starting pitching group look a bit weak.
However, the offense of the team has come to its rescue for most of the games so far in 2024. So far, Juan Soto’s tremendous offensive performance with a great OPS of 1.009 is worth mentioning. But the fans kind of expected more from the best hitter in baseball already. However, the new shortstop, Anthony Volpe, has been taking his game to the next level this year, feels Yomtov. The second-year slugger averages .382, 5 SB, and the same OPS as Soto. Albeit the Orioles were heavy favorites, the Yankees look like serious contenders for the American League.
MLB Rankings See The Pinstripes At Number One After The Last Week
As per the USA TODAY Sports, the New York Yankees are playing like true contenders of the American League. After the last week, the NY side is at the top with +4. Then, there’s the other contenders for the World Series, like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves (-2).
According to USA TODAY Sports, the Baltimore Orioles looked like the fourth-best team in the league so far. They still are contenders for the AL East. However, in the MLB Rankings, the Orioles are followed by the Milwaukee Brewers with +7. These are the five teams that looked the best throughout the last week.
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