The most recent edition of the program The Yankists put on the table several of the songs that surround the New York Yankees in the final stretch of the regular season. Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas analyzed the blunt 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the offensive moment of Ben Rice and the decisions that begin to take on greater importance with the postseason closer.

The program also addressed the impact of Ryan McMahon, the growth of George Lombard Jr., the last output of Gerrit Cole Before October, the great season of Cam Schlittler and the question that represents the physical situation of Aaron Judge.

Beyond reviewing the result, Edwin and Daniel focused the conversation on what this moment can mean for some Yankees who already have their presence in the playoffs assured and who now need to find the best possible version of their roster before starting the Wild Card series.

Ben Rice is once again one of the great themes of the program

One of the main names of the edition was Ben Rice, who once again demonstrated why he has become one of the most important pieces of the Yankees offensive.

Rice hit the 40th and 41st home run in the 9-2 win over Tampa Bay. The first came from the first release he saw in the bottom of the first episode and the second appeared later to expand an advantage that New York already had under control.

Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas highlighted Rice's evolution and the importance of his production in October, especially at a time when Aaron Judge is still out of action due to an injury to his right calf.

Rice's ability to produce power from the center of the alignment represents an important alternative for a team that cannot depend exclusively on a single bat when the postseason begins.

Ryan McMahon and George Lombard Jr. also responded

The victory against the Rays was not only the product of Rice's two home runs. Ryan McMahon starred in one of his best nights with the Yankees by driving five runs, four of them through a Grand Slam that opened the scoring completely.

McMahon had previously produced a run with a single, so he ended up being one of the main responsible for New York building a wide advantage during the first innings.

George Lombard Jr. also joined the attack with a solitary home run. In the Yankists, Edwin and Daniel analyzed the growth of the young shortstop and the space that has been gaining within a team that continues to evaluate different combinations for their inner draw.

The contribution of players like McMahon and Lombard acquires even more value at this stage, when each performance can influence the decisions that will be made to build the playoff roster.

Gerrit Cole left one last evaluation before the playoffs

Another of the program's central points was Gerrit Cole, who made his last scheduled start of the regular season in the victory over Tampa Bay.

Cole worked five innings and two thirds, allowed three hits and two runs, gave three walks and struck out eight batters. The right-hander made 105 pitches before handing the ball to the bullpen. :contentreference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

For Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas, the start allowed to analyze not only the result, but also the level with which Cole approaches October and the role he will have within a rotation with several important alternatives.

The Wild Card series completely changes the margin of error. A complicated opening can place a season on the verge of elimination, so Cole's performance, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon And Cam Schlittler will be one of the main factors for New York.

Cam Schlittler reaches the final stretch with elite numbers

The show also paid attention to Cam Schlittler, one of the Yankees' most outstanding pitchers throughout the season.

The right-hander reaches his next start with a record of 14-6, ERA of 1.94 and 234 strikeouts in 190.2 innings, in addition to a Whip of 0.91. They are numbers that have placed him among the most dominant American league pitchers during 2026.

Edwin and Daniel analyzed the importance of having Schlittler at this level just before the postseason. Its consistency offers Aaron Boone a high-level option for a short series, although the exact order of rotation has yet to be defined.

Aaron Judge's absence changes the offensive conversation

Aaron Judge's situation was another of the inevitable issues of the edition. The captain was placed on the injured list due to a strain in his right calf, and his availability for the start of the postseason continues to be one of the big questions around the team. :contentreference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

During the Yankees, a question came up that sums up a good part of the debate: if Judge can't start the playoffs, who should take the most offensive weight?

Ben Rice naturally appears within that conversation after reaching 41 homers, but the Yankees will also need answers from Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon and the rest of a lineup he will have to produce collectively.

Judge is still a difficult piece to replace, but New York has already had to compete for long periods without its captain this season. That context forces the team to find different ways to produce races.

Amed Rosario can become a tool for Aaron Boone

Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas also talked about Amed Rosario and the role that it can have inside the roster of the Yankees.

Rosario returned to New York with a one-season contract and $2.5 million, and her main value is in the versatility and her ability to offer a right bat against left-handed pitchers. MLB confirmed that he was one of the players held by the Yankees during the winter. :contentreference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

In a short series, that type of profile can be especially useful. Boone can use it as a starter depending on the matchup, as a pop-up batter, or as a piece to modify the defense during the last innings.

The Yankists look beyond the result

The 9-2 victory was important, but the conversation between Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas made it clear that the real focus is already in October.

The Yankees need to define their rotation, find stability in the inner draw, keep the good moment of Ben Rice and know how much they will be able to count on Aaron Judge when the Wild Card series begins.

It will also be essential that players who do not always occupy the first starters continue to contribute. McMahon, Lombard Jr., Rosario and other pieces may end up having a turn or a decisive play in a short series.

That was the axis of this edition of the Yankees: to analyze not only what happened against Tampa Bay, but what each performance can represent for the next challenge in New York.

The Yankists, with Edwin Morel and Daniel Cuevas, continues to follow up on every movement of the Yankees, their parties, decisions and news on the way to the postseason.