As the Yankees open their season with a four-game set in Houston, Evan says the Bombers will be staring down what is still their biggest obstacle to get back to a World Series.
And Evan believes the Yankees are closer than ever to finally toppling their chronic playoff tormentors in the Astros, who have bounced New York in each of its last three ALCS appearances.
“All of the conversation we’re gonna have…about how good the Yankees are, how good their pitching is, their lineup is, this is the team you’re comparing yourself to,” Evan said. “This is the measuring stick team. And quite frankly, I think the Yankees are close to them. I really do. I don’t think the Yankees are a million miles away.
“By adding Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto, they improved what needs to be the strength of their team, and that is the lineup.”
The Yankee bats have come up dreadfully short in past playoff battles with Houston, especially when they last faced off in 2022, where the Yanks posted a collective OPS of .502. Evan believes the Yankees have addressed a lot of the issues that led to such a dreadful showing, and believes they will have a chance at payback, regardless of other American League teams that may be on the rise.
“I look at the Astros, and they are the measuring stick and without a doubt the team to beat,” Evan said. “Don’t give me that crap about the Rangers and Orioles. Stop it. It is this team. I don’t believe the Yankees are that far off from the team they need to measure themselves against in the Astros.”