From demanding deep starts to fixing a leaking bullpen, New York returns home facing a pivotal divisional test.
NEW YORK — The Yankees are coming into the bronx on fumes. Leaving the Bronx 10 days ago, the Yankees were in first place in the AL East and looking like a true juggernaut. After a 2-7 roadtrip that saw the Yankees lose three series and their lefty ace, the vibe in Yankee Land is not high.
Coming up this week, the Yankees have seven games against their AL East rivals in the Blue Jays and the Rays. It’s a big week early in the season for the Yankees because they could be up in the division at the end of the week by 2/3 games, or back in the division by 7 or more if all goes wrong.
With the Yankees struggling, Toronto is coming to town at the worst possible time, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting hot at the right time to face the Yankees, as he always seems to.
Let’s break down a few keys to the Yankees winning the series against the Blue Jays.
Key 1: Deep Starts
The Yankees over the weekend had two short outings by starters Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Rodón not being able to get out of the fourth and fifth innings. That taxed an already struggling bullpen.
When you look at the numbers, the Yankees starting rotation is ranked number 1 in terms of fWAR on FanGraphs (breakdown below). Cam Schlittler is a big part of this, given how great he’s been so far, but the Yankees rotation is really good. The good news is the Yankees rotation is not at full strength, with Gerrit Cole expected to return next week and Max Fried after a month or so on the IL with a left elbow bone bruise discovered last week.
The Yankees rank number seven in all of baseball in terms of innings pitched from the starting rotation, which has hid some of the warts the bullpen has shown. The two games the bullpen has given up a ton of runs in this weekend were games that the Yankees had to cover a ton of innings from their bullpen. That does not excuse the closer blowing a three-run lead, but if Rodriguez was able to get through five innings on Sunday, the Mets might not get that big two-run double against Jake Bird.
Key 2: Offensive Outbursts
The Yankees need to score runs. At home, the Yankees offense has been one of the best in the sports, ranking first in wRC+ at home. On the road, their numbers tells a different story. They rank seventeenth with wRC+ at 93, which is below league average.
The fact that the Yankees will get to see Toronto at home this week, the Yankees need to hit. It starts at the top. Cody Bellinger is much, much better at home than on the road so far in 2026, and having Bellinger hitting in the lineup makes it much longer. It makes it even longer when it’s warm out and fly balls to right will carry out of the ballpark.
Also, Aaron Judge is due for a hot streak. If there was ever a homestead for him to wake up, it’s against the Yankees AL East rivals where the team needs wins.
Key 3: Stay Away from Bednar and Headrick
David Bednar had been solid to start the year. Within the past week, he’s given out two two-out home runs on first pitch curveballs, leading to back-breaking losses.
Brent Headrick has been overused to start 2026 and is now springing a leak. Headrick has also given up multiple home runs and runs in general in his last three outings.
The Yankees need to get these two right. Both of them are so essential to what the Yankees are going to do this season. If they are both on, the Yankees bullpen gets deeper. With them both struggling, it’s going to be hold your breath time.
The issue is the Yankees bullpen is not deep. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned Sunday that the team is considering making a bullpen move ahead of the Toronto series.
The Yankees need to have a good week and handle the Blue Jays this season. They have the chance to put the nail in the coffin of the Toronto Blue Jays season. It’s now time to do that and take care of business.