by The Yankees enter play on August 29 with a 6.5 game deficit in the American League East.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
After Tuesday night’s comeback victory, the Yankees sit at 84-48. That’s good for the second-best record in all of Major League Baseball, but also second place within the American League East.
With the Red Sox in the midst of making history in Boston, it will take a major effort for the Yankees to come back and topple the current division leaders.
Even after a win over the White Sox, FiveThirtyEight doesn’t give the Yankees much of a chance down the stretch.
Here are the latest chances according to the prediction site’s algorithm.
Predicted record: 102-60
Chances to make playoffs: Over 99 percent
Chances to win the World Series: 9 percent
Chances to win the AL East: 6 percent
The site has the Red Sox projected to finish at 109-53. That’s seven full games over the Yankees. As of last week, the final projected gap between the teams was eight games. The Yankees have made up some ground, but not enough to truly move the needle.
Six of New York’s final 13 games, including the final three of the season, come against Boston. If the Yankees can keep the deficit manageable heading into the final two weeks of the season, there’s at least the chance of a comeback and special down-the-stretch race.
If not, the Yankees are likely ticketed for a date in a one-game AL Wild Card playoff. The prize for the winner of that game: A best-of-five series vs. the Red Sox in the ALDS.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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