MLB
The Yankees Aren’t Even the Best MLB Team in New York Anymore
Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.
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The Yankees have been the kings of New York for over 20 years now.
Since 1996, the Yankees have won the American League East division 14 times, and they’ve made the playoffs in all but four seasons over the same span. New York has also won five World Series trophies in the last 25 years, which is the most in Major League Baseball. The Yankees haven’t finished worse than second in the AL East in the last three years, but that looks as if it might change in 2020.
The Yankees currently sit in third place in the division, and they aren’t even the best team in New York state this season. And no, it’s not the Mets either.
The Yankees are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016
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The Yankees started the season looking like the powerhouse team they were expected to be in 2020. They began the year 8-1 through nine games, and almost everything was clicking for the club.
Ever since their hot start, though, the Yankees haven’t looked the same. They incurred a few injuries to top stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, and their pitching staff has started to deteriorate.
Fast forward a few weeks from their 8-1 start, and the Yankees now sit at 21-20 and in third place in the AL East. DJ LeMahieu is the only regular starter hitting above .300 on the year. Gerrit Cole hasn’t even been the most impressive pitcher on the team despite getting paid $324 million to come to New York.
The Yankees are currently riding a streak of 14 losses in their last 19 games. They’re in danger of missing the playoffs and suffering their first losing season since 1992. On top of all that, the Yankees are no longer the best team in their own state.
The Toronto Blue Jays relocated to New York to play home games in 2020
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The Blue Jays have always played their home games in Toronto since their MLB debut in 1977, but this unique year has forced many changes upon professional sports.
Toronto had to find a new stadium to play in this season that was located in the United States, so they migrated down to Buffalo, which normally hosts the team’s Triple-A affiliate. Sahlen Field officially became the home of the “Buffalo” Blue Jays prior to the season, so the team is playing a majority of its home games in western New York.
Clearly, the change of scenery lit a fire in the clubhouse, and the Blue Jays are gunning for their first playoff appearance since 2016.
The Blue Jays have been the best New York team in the MLB this season
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The Blue Jays have been one of the biggest surprises in the 2020 MLB season. Maybe the biggest surprise of all is that the team has dethroned the Yankees as the best MLB team in New York.
After winning 16 of their last 23 games, the Blue Jays are now 23-18 on the year and two games in front of the Yankees in the AL East standings. Toronto made a statement Monday night by scoring 10 runs in the sixth inning against New York’s vaunted bullpen and beating the Yankees, 12-7.
They may not be there for long, but the “Buffalo” Blue Jays have been the most impressive MLB team in New York in 2020, and they might just steal a playoff spot from their now in-state rivals.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference
