The Yankees clinched the AL East in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, blowing out the Orioles in their season finale to claim their second division title in the last three years.
It was a roller coaster ride to get there, but Chris McMonigle says it’s important to have perspective as the Yanks lock up an ALDS berth.
“For all the talk, for all the hatred, for all the nonsense, these Yankees are two wins away or one win and one Cleveland loss away from being in as good of a position as they possibly could be,” C-Mac said, noting the Bombers are on the cusp of the top spot in the American League.“They are clearly the best team heading into this postseason.
“There is nobody better. It doesn’t mean they can’t lose, because there are holes on this team.”
But, as C-Mac notes, there are holes on every American League team this season, more so than years past. Fortunately for the Yanks, they seem to have things clicking at the right time, and C-Mac believes they are in better shape to win a pennant than they have been in years.
“Heading in, I’m as confident as ever for many reasons,” C-Mac said. “They are as healthy as ever. I know the Nestor Cortes injury is a tough one...but the starting rotation is healthy. Cole is back to being an ace, Rodon has had a very good year, and you have Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. They have as healthy and deep a rotation as we’ve had in a while heading into the postseason.
“The back end of the bullpen? Weaver has been excellent since being moved to the closer. Kahnle has been excellent all year. Hamilton, we saw Hill last night, and even Clay Holmes got into the mix...this team right now, with this lineup, is as good and as healthy heading into the postseason as we’ve seen.”