Houston Astros fans will take joy in Aaron Boone’s unconfident comments about if the New York Yankees have closed the gap on them.
When it comes to the Houston Astros, they have been the roadblock to the New York Yankees‘ years-long quest to return to the World Series. The two teams have faced off in the ACLS in 2017, 2019, and 2022, and the Astros have won each matchup. In two of those trips (one with an asterisk), Houston emerged hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy. 2022 was perhaps the most embarrassing for the Yankees, as they were swept by the Astros due in major part to the bats being lifeless in the four-game set.
The Yankees reported to spring training, looking to continue their journey to their first World Series appearance since 2009. Manager Aaron Boone spoke with the media on Wednesday and was asked if he believes the Yankees closed the gap on the Astros. His answer was, he’s not sure.
“How much we’ve closed the gap, I don’t know,” Boone said, h/t the New York Post. “We’ll see. We’re in February.
“We got a long way to go to even get that opportunity to find out if we get to play in the playoffs and have that crack again. I feel like that’s our expectation.
“There’s been some teams, namely the Astros, that have been a nemesis that have knocked us off a couple times. They’ve set the standard right now, certainly in the American League. But that said, we’ve got a bear of a division we’ve got to go through. In a lot of ways, a number of teams in the American League are better.”
Aaron Boone unsure if Yankees have closed the gap on Astros
As Boone mentions, it is still only February. But when it comes to the Yankees’ desire to win their 28th World Series title, they are more likely than not going to have to get past the Astros once the postseason hits.
This offseason, the Yankees were able to retain superstar outfielder Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million contract extension, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a two-year, $40 million contract. In terms of additions, the Yankees’ big get was left handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon to a six-year, $162 million deal. New York also made the savvy move of bringing back relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.
Besides those moves, the batting order virtually remains the same as last year. Aaron Hicks and Josh Donaldson, who struggled at the plate last season, are slotted into starting roles thus far. But, there could be a new starting shortstop in either Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe if they are to beat Isiah Kiner-Falefa in spring training.
As for the Astros, they did lose Justin Verlander in free agency to the New York Mets. Yet, their starting rotation is still strong, and the team added former Chicago White Sox and 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu to their batting order.
The Yankees have high expectations this season, as they do every year. But Boone mentions that the American League has only gotten tougher, especially in the East division. But, the fanbase will be hoping that, for once, the team is able to beat the Astros in a pivotal postseason series.