Assessing the Yankees' possibilities in the AL East division and their bullpen forecast, as analyzed by Michael Kay.
The Toronto Blue Jays secured a 7-1 victory over the New York Yankees in their recent encounter, tightening the race in the American League East division.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays' star, had an outstanding performance during the game, contributing significantly to the team's win.
The Yankees, on the other hand, are facing challenges in the late innings of games, a problem shared by many teams in the league. This struggle has been exacerbated by the absence of Gerrit Cole for the entire season and the mid-season injury to Clarke Schmidt, leaving gaps in the Yankees' starting rotation.
The Yankees' bullpen, which has already been struggling this season, has been further tested by these injuries. Michael Kay, a sports commentator, described the current state of the Yankees' bullpen as uncertain, with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough set to return and join the bullpen, potentially replacing right-hander Paul Blackburn, whose role seems unclear due to poor performance.
As for the candidates to fill other bullpen spots, veterans from Triple-A like Jake Bird, Yerry De los Santos, and Ian Hamilton are in contention, indicating a lack of clarity about the bullpen roster beyond the main established relievers.
The Yankees and Blue Jays will face off again on Saturday at 1:05 ET, providing an opportunity for the Yankees to turn the tables and make a statement in the closely contested AL East division.
Three teams in the division are currently separated by only 4 and a half games, making every game crucial in the race for the playoffs. The Yankees will need to address their late-game struggles and bullpen woes to maintain their position in the division.
