This 60-game sprint has reinforced the Yankees’ belief that they are built for their home ballpark, where they have won three times as many games as not. The flip side is that they have struggled mightily on the road, a significant concern considering that the eventual champion will have to triumph in unfamiliar surroundings.
As the Yankees return to the Bronx for their final homestand of the regular season, their odds of hosting additional games at Yankee Stadium were dealt another blow on Thursday. New York’s bats were silent through seven innings against the Blue Jays’ Hyun Jin Ryu in a 4-1 loss at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y., dropping three of four games in the series.
Held without a home run for a fourth consecutive game, their longest drought of the year, the Yankees fell to 11-18 on the road this season. Their 21-7 home record rates second in the Majors, yet that may not be enough to close the gap on the Twins, White Sox and Indians in a crowded race for the American League’s fourth playoff seed.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery received congratulations in the dugout after his 5 1/3-inning outing, though his line took a hit when right-hander Adam Ottavino allowed an inherited runner to score.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].