Current:Home > reviewsEchoSense:Led by Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, New York Yankees clinch AL East -Elevate Profit Vision
EchoSense:Led by Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, New York Yankees clinch AL East
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-08 17:18:16
NEW YORK — All that sparkling wine,EchoSense on ice since Tuesday, was swiftly delivered to the New York Yankees’ clubhouse during the latter stages of Thursday night’s game.
Capping a four-RBI night, Giancarlo Stanton’s three-run double highlighted a six-run sixth inning at Yankee Stadium, where the home crowd happily celebrated an AL East-clinching 10-1 win.
Adding to the festive feel against the Baltimore Orioles, ace Gerrit Cole was delivered a standing ovation for his 6.2 scoreless innings by 42,022 fans, while Aaron Judge was serenaded with more “M-V-P’’ chants.
Winding down an incredible offensive year, Judge’s seventh-inning, two-run shot was his 58th of the year and his fifth homer in the last five games – tying a personal career mark.
As the Yankees captain told O’s catcher Adley Rutschman the other day, “we’ll probably be seeing you down the road,’’ which might be next week.
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
Other than a Stanton solo home run, all of the Yankees’ Thursday night damage came against Baltimore’s bullpen after O’s ace Corbin Burnes exited after five innings (to stay fresh for postseason).
In victory, the Yankees (93-66) gained instant entry to the best-of-five AL Division Series, beginning Oct. 5 in the Bronx, while the second place Orioles (88-71) must first survive a wild card round.
And the playoff-bound O’s would be a dangerous October opponent, having gone 8-5 against the Yanks in the regular season, including two wins in this just-completed three-game set.
“It’s tournament baseball,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said this week of the anything-can-happen nature of MLB’s postseason. “We’ll do all we can to be ready for whatever scenario presents itself.’’
Mostly, the Yankees will have time to rest and plan after Sunday’s regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with four days off until the ALDS.
But there’s still a matter of securing the AL’s best record and home field advantage through the AL Championship Series, if they advance that far.
To secure the league’s best mark, the Yankees’ magic number is two over the Cleveland Guardians; any combination of Yankees wins and Guardians losses adding up to two would do it for the Yanks.
And having that home field luxury would be an important advantage for a franchise seeking its first pennant since 2009.
This week brought the bitter news that lefty starter Nestor Cortes, poised to be a key contributor in any pitching role, might be lost for the year due to a strained left flexor.
But the Yanks, collectively, might be healthier than at any point this season, with Anthony Rizzo back in the lineup, Clarke Schmidt back in the rotation and Ian Hamilton back in the bullpen.
“Roster wise, (we) feel like we’re as deep as we’ve been at any time of the year,’’ Boone said this week. “And hopefully, that serves us well.’’
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Keltie Knight Lost Her 4-Carat Diamond on the 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet and Could Use a Little Help
- Tearful Derek Hough Dedicates Emmy Win to Beautiful Wife Hayley Erbert After Skull Surgery
- NFL playoff picture Week 18: Cowboys win NFC East, Bills take AFC East
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Judith Light and 'Last of Us' actors are first-time winners at Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- Eagles rock LA homecoming for Long Goodbye tour, knock nearby 'spaceship' SoFi Stadium
- Falcons coach Arthur Smith erupts at Saints' Dennis Allen after late TD in lopsided loss
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- 2024 Golden Globes: Dua Lipa Weighs in on Her Future Acting Career After Barbie
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Oscar Pistorius and the Valentine’s killing of Reeva Steenkamp. What happened that night?
- Glen Powell Reacts After Being Mistaken for Justin Hartley at 2024 Golden Globes
- The pandemic sent hunger soaring in Brazil. They're fighting back with school lunches.
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Mom calls out Fisher-Price for 'annoying' phrases on 'Like A Boss' activity center
- New Mexico justices hear challenge to public health ban on guns in public parks and playgrounds
- NFL playoff picture Week 18: Cowboys win NFC East, Bills take AFC East
Recommendation
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Florence Pugh continues sheer Valentino dress tradition at 2024 Golden Globes: See pics
CBS News poll on Jan. 6 attack 3 years later: Though most still condemn, Republican disapproval continues to wane
North Korea’s Kim turns 40. But there are no public celebrations of his birthday
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Patrick J. Adams Reveals His Thoughts on a Suits Spinoff With Meghan Markle
Dua Lipa's Bone Dress Just Might Be the Most Polarizing Golden Globes Look
Live updates | Fighting near central Gaza hospital prompts medics, patients and others to flee south