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5 reasons to believe Yankees can pull off ALDS comeback

The New York Yankees may have stumbled in the first two games of the ALDS, but their path to a comeback isn’t without foundation. Despite losing Aaron Judge to injury, their lineup remains one of baseball’s most potent, ranking second in home runs (223), sixth in slugging percentage (.409), and ninth in runs scored (739).

Even without Judge, they overwhelmed the Boston Red Sox with 18 runs across two games, and their ability to manufacture offense—finishing eighth in walks (572)—suggests they can grind out key hits when needed. Manager Aaron Boone emphasized the need for incremental progress, focusing on winning one game at a time rather than overhauling their performance overnight.

The team’s defensive struggles in Game 2 were an outlier; they rank third in the AL in defensive efficiency and middle-of-the-pack in runs prevented, per Statcast, meaning they’re far from helpless against Tampa Bay’s pressure tactics.

On the mound, the Yankees boast a rotation capable of turning the series around. Max Fried, a Game 1-caliber starter for many teams, takes the hill in Game 3, while Carlos Rodón—who dominated the Rays just weeks ago—is slated for Game 4.

If the series extends to a Game 5 in Tampa, Cam Schlittler could provide another wild card. The Yankees’ advantage deepens with two left-handed starters in the next two games, as Tampa Bay has been one of MLB’s weakest teams against southpaws—a detail that could be pivotal in a potential comeback bid.

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