In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Major League Baseball season, the New York Yankees enter Game 162 with an opportunity to clinch the American League East title. However, the Toronto Blue Jays hold the key to the division, needing only a victory in their final game against the Tampa Bay Rays to secure the title.
Despite the uncertainty of whether they will enter the postseason as wild cards or division champions, Yankees captain Aaron Judge remains optimistic. “Our first goal was to win our division, but we know the ultimate objective is bigger,” Judge stated after contributing three RBIs in Saturday’s 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
Judge, who has had an impressive season with 53 home runs, acknowledged that the team is ready for whichever path the postseason presents. “Whether it’s the wild card or the Division Series, we’re prepared, but there’s a definite desire in the clubhouse to take the division.”
Manager Aaron Boone shared Judge’s sentiments, expressing eagerness for Sunday’s decisive match. “It’s been a crazy ride, but that’s the essence of baseball,” Boone remarked following the Yankees’ seventh straight triumph.
Both teams are neck and neck in the standings, each holding a 93-68 record. However, the Yankees lose the tiebreaker due to Toronto’s 8-5 advantage in head-to-head matchups this year.
Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler, lined up for a potential Game 3 in a wild card series, played a crucial role in the Yankees’ recent success. He delivered seven shutout innings with only two hits and nine strikeouts, keeping their division dreams alive. “The pressure’s there, but it’s something I thrive on,” Schlittler mentioned, reflecting on his strong performance and season with a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts.
Star hitters Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton showcased their power with Judge’s MLB-record 20th first-inning homer and Stanton surpassing Carl Yastrzemski on the all-time homerun list. Judge and Stanton homered in the same game for the 59th time as teammates, a pattern that has historically boded well for the Yankees, with a 52-7 record in such games.
Despite some drama with manager Boone’s ejection over the strike zone and the departure of Jazz Chisholm Jr. due to an injury scare—x-rays thankfully returned negative—spirits are high. Judge is also in the mix for his second consecutive AL MVP award, contending against Seattle’s powerful Cal Raleigh. Ryan McMahon expressed confidence in Judge’s MVP chances, saying, “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.”
As the Yankees prepare for Sunday’s pivotal game, excitement simmers, and the hope for glory persists. The potential for a division title remains alive, a testament to the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of baseball.