Yankees make playoffs/ New York clinches postseason/ Yankees secure playoff spot/ Yankees beat Mariners/ SEATTLE/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Yankees secured a playoff berth Wednesday night with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Seattle Mariners. Nestor Cortes pitched six shutout innings, and Aaron Judge continued his MVP-caliber season as New York booked its return to the postseason after missing out last year. The Yankees hold the best record in the American League and are on track to potentially win the AL East.
Yankees Clinch Playoff Berth with 10-Inning Win: Quick Looks
- Playoff Return: The Yankees secured a postseason spot with a 2-1 win in extra innings against the Mariners.
- Pitching Performance: Nestor Cortes led the Yankees with six scoreless innings.
- Postgame Celebration: Players celebrated their playoff berth after missing the postseason last year.
- Focus Ahead: New York aims to win the AL East and break its World Series drought dating back to 2009.
Yankees Return to the Playoffs, Beat Mariners in 10 Innings to Clinch
Deep Look:
The New York Yankees officially punched their ticket to the 2024 playoffs with a thrilling 2-1 extra-inning win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night, securing their spot in the postseason after missing out last year. Nestor Cortes delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching six shutout innings to set the tone for the victory.
Manager Aaron Boone emphasized the importance of the win, calling it a crucial first step toward the Yankees’ ultimate goal. “We’ve been through a lot already this year,” Boone said after the game. “We understand it’s just a first step — but it’s an important one. We’re in the dance.”
Cortes reflected on last season’s disappointment, using it as motivation heading into the playoffs. “Last year we were out of the playoffs. Sour feeling for us,” Cortes said. “Coming into spring training, we had one goal, and that’s to make the playoffs, and we’re here.”
The Yankees now boast the best record in the American League at 89-63, leading second-place Baltimore by five games in the AL East with just 10 games left in the regular season. Their latest victory ensures at least a wild card berth and marks the 59th postseason appearance in franchise history.
After a disappointing 2023 season plagued by injuries, which saw the Yankees miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016, this year’s squad looks much more poised for a deep postseason run. Boone noted that the team is stronger, healthier, and more focused than it was last year. “We weren’t a great team last year, and this team has a chance to do something special,” he said.
Aaron Judge, a key figure in the Yankees’ resurgence, echoed Boone’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s determination to make a playoff run. Judge, who is leading the American League MVP race with 53 home runs and 136 RBIs, said, “That’s what we came into the season to do, get into the postseason and give ourselves an opportunity to go out there and win a World Series.”
Juan Soto has also been instrumental in the Yankees’ success. Soto reached the 40-home run milestone in Tuesday’s series opener, also marking his 200th career home run at just 25 years old. His contributions, alongside Judge’s, have been vital to the Yankees’ strong season and could play a significant role in how deep the team goes in the postseason.
“Our goal is to win the division. That’s what we want to do,” Soto said after Wednesday’s victory. “We’re going to focus on that and try to finish the season strong.”
While the Yankees have already clinched a playoff spot, they still have their sights set on winning the AL East, especially with the recent slump of the Baltimore Orioles. A three-game series against Baltimore in the Bronx next week could decide the division title, though the Yankees have created enough of a cushion that the race is less dramatic than it might have been.
After finishing up their series in Seattle, the Yankees will head to Oakland for a three-game set, marking the final road trip of their regular season. They hope it will be their last time away from home for a while, as they aim to secure home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Despite the postseason berth, Boone emphasized that the team cannot afford to let up as they approach the final stretch. “A lot of things have come together,” Boone said. “Probably better health overall. Definitely an added focus for guys that were coming off tough years.”
As the Yankees continue to push for a strong finish and aim to snap their World Series drought dating back to 2009, the contributions of their star players, including Judge and Soto, will be key. “Getting a front-row seat this year, all year, watching him, watching him go about it, watching him day in and day out, just a great hitter,” Boone said of Soto, whose impact has been critical in New York’s resurgence.
With the playoffs now on the horizon, the Yankees are ready to put last year’s struggles behind them and focus on what could be a special October.
