by Suzanne Jackson
The New York Yankees were eliminated from the ALCS playoffs after getting swept by the Houston Astros. With big hits in Game 4 from the Astros and a defensive error made by Gleyber Torres in the seventh inning, the Astros were able to have a go-ahead rally to win the game 6-5.
With this loss the Yankees are now the first team in MLB history to lose 5 straight ALCS appearances. During 2022, 2019 and 2017 the Yankees lost to the Astros. In 2012 they lost to the Detroit Tigers and in 2010 they lost to the Texas Rangers.
With the ALCS win the Astros will move onto their fourth World Series appearance in six years. They will play against the Philadelphia Phillies for the World Series title in a best of seven game series.
There is some speculation that the Yankees may fire manager Aaron Boone after this ALCS loss. Despite Boone agreeing to a three-year contract with the team last October, Boone’s pitching and outfield decisions were questioned by many. The Yankees defense was a regular issue with the team making six costly errors during the postseason. Some offensive decisions were also criticized by fans. Many questioned why Boone favored utilityman Matt Carpenter to be a designated hitter in the postseason against the Astros. Before Game 3 of the ALCS, Carpenter had struck out in all seven of his postseason plate appearances. During Game 3, Carpenter provided one hit for the Yankees but ended up striking out two more times at the plate. Out of 12 plate appearances, Carpenter struck out 11 times in the postseason.
Despite breaking the American League record with 62 home runs, leading the majors with 131 RBIs and finishing second in the American League with a .311 batting average, Yankees right outfielder Aaron Judge may not be playing in pinstripes next season. Before opening day, Judge turned down a seven-year contract with the Yankees that would have paid $213.5 million from 2023 to 2029 meaning that he is now eligible for free agency after the World Series.
It’s safe to say that the future of this Yankees team is questionable. One goal of this team in the offseason is going to be focused on trying to make sure Judge is a Yankee on opening day of next season, as well as building up the rest of their team.
