We only may be five games into the 2024 MLB regular season, but it’s hard not to be impressed with the red-hot start the New York Yankees are off to.
Everyone knows just how loaded the Los Angeles Dodgers are – however, they don’t have to deal with the day-to-day scrutiny that the Yankees do.
Even the most die-hard of Bombers fans entered the season with a touch of pessimism, especially after the devastating injury to reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.
Gerrit Cole playing peek-a-boo with a baby in the crowd.
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face 🙂pic.twitter.com/YrEcyK7pZz
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) April 1, 2024
But my oh my what a difference five days make.
At 5-0, the Yankees are off to their best start in 32 years and the April vibes are as good as they’ve been in a very long time.
A whole lot of that has to do with superstar slugger Juan Soto who is off to a roaring start and seems to be positioning himself into one of the greatest contract years in recent memory.
Has Juan Soto IMMEDIATELY made the Yankees a World Series contender? 🏆 @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/g9jIrWhl55
— Flippin' Bats Podcast (@FlippinBatsPod) April 2, 2024
Of course, we all know that the Major League Baseball season is the ultimate marathon. At the end of the day, five games is absolutely nothing.
However, it’s hard to deny that there’s a completely different feeling with this Yankees team compared to those in recent years.
There is definitely a camaraderie between all players on this year’s team that’s been missing. As a whole, they have their eye on the prize. However they do it…hits,walks,errors, HR’s they’re taking advantage of all opportunities.Keep it up Bombers!
— NotSoRandomthoughts (@Random97thought) April 2, 2024
In many ways, this is the most important season of Aaron Boone’s managerial career.
Many Yankees fans wanted him fired at the end of last season (and even the one before). However, owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman reaffirmed their faith in him, helped largely by the fact that the players love him.
Having said that, Boone understands that he needs to deliver results on the field. Coming off a nightmare 2023 season, the pressure on him and the entire team is at a boiling point.
But so far so good…
vibes are immaculate
— Juan Sotos Burner (@JuanSotosBurner) April 2, 2024
Not only have the Yankees been sharp in virtually all facets, but Boone admitted that he still sees plenty of room for improvement.
“That’s the thing, I feel like as well as we’ve done so far offensively, I also feel like we’re not really rolling yet,” Boone said. “But we’re putting together tough at-bat after tough at-bat after tough at-bat.”
The Yankees have started 5-0 for just the fifth time in franchise history. Aaron Boone discusses the team's hot start. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/Zc0ESPqQJP
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 2, 2024
Again, I don’t mean to sound dramatic.
Babe Judge, Mickey Soto and Derek Volpe could all go in brutal slumps and the Yankees could lose five in a row just as easy as they’ve won five in a row.
However, Boone knows there’s a different feeling with this team. And as he said, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Anthony Volpe is off to an INSANELY hot start this season!🔥
.571 AVG | .667 OBP | 1.000 SLG | 1.667 OPS | 366 wRC+ pic.twitter.com/b9Po0BZT2G
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) April 2, 2024
The Yankees will look to make it six in a row tonight when they continue their series against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.
Nestor Cortes will take the mound for the Bombers against Zac Gallen and the 3-2 D-backs.
Yankees: 5-0
Mets: 0-4 pic.twitter.com/76XK2nud9t— ZT (@NY_EvilEmpire) April 2, 2024
What are your thoughts on the Yankees start to the season?
Are we being a little too dramatic?
Will the pitching concerns inevitably rear their ugly head, or do you think there’s enough depth on the staff to survive until Cole gets back?
The starting pitching from the Yankees has been phenomenal even in the absence of Gerrit Cole. Figures after we all were begging for another starter. Can only imagine what this rotation will look like when Cole returns.
— ZT (@NY_EvilEmpire) April 2, 2024
Could Soto be a Triple Crown threat?
In the big picture, how do you see the 2024 season going?
Can this team actually win the World Series???
I don’t care what the haters say, Yankees are winning the World Series this year.
Let’s ride. pic.twitter.com/eys2JdLdAr
— Mike Salvatore (@MikeSalvatore10) March 28, 2024