Yankees lead MLB in comeback wins. We dig into this and other facts of this historic season
NEW YORK − As you might imagine, the Yankees have been a loose group, sailing along with MLB’s best record and playing “with a level of confidence’’ – as manager Aaron Boone said – that suggests they’re never out of any game.
Let’s examine the most important stats that have defined their 55-20 record through Tuesday:
Home runs: 124
The power is back on at Yankee Stadium, and the club’s current home run total – led by Aaron Judge’s MLB-best 28 – is tops in the majors and a franchise best through the first 75 games of a season.
While Judge is aiming at Roger Maris’ club record 61 homers in 1961, Anthony Rizzo (20), Giancarlo Stanton (18) and Gleyber Torres (13) are all in double-digits.
Home record: 33-9
That’s the majors’ best mark. The Yanks are 11-1-2 in home series this year.
Clay Holmes ERA: 0.50
Emerging as the Yanks’ closer, Holmes’ ascension to the ninth inning was already in the works before Aroldis Chapman’s Achilles tendinitis.
Now, he’s an established late-game presence, armed with a devastating sinker that has produced MLB’s weakest expected slugging average (.202) and an insane 82.4 percent groundball rate per Statcast.
Holmes has made 32 scoreless appearances out of 34. The Yanks' record when leading after eight innings this year: 43-0.
Rotation starts: 71
That speaks to the health of Boone’s five-man rotation, which had made all but three starts through 74 games.
Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery have a combined 3.06 ERA, and the entire Yankees staff has yielded 229 runs, the lowest in the majors.
Walk-off wins: 10
After finishing last season with 11 such wins, the Yankees have made the walk-off victory a signature of their season – highlighted by Judge and Jose Trevino.
Team ERA: 2.93
That's the lowest among AL teams and second lowest in the majors, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Entering this week, the Yanks’ 223 runs allowed was the fewest by any AL team since 1973, when the AL adopted the designated hitter.
AL East record: 26-12
Last season, the Yankees finished four games under .500 (36-40) against their division, making for a decidedly uphill climb toward postseason.
That led to a third-place finish, a road wild card game, and a one-and-done October appearance.
Giancarlo Stanton: 29-29
That's 29 starts at DH, and 29 starts in right field for Stanton through his first 58 games.
By remaining healthy (he did miss nine games with a mild calf strain) and playing capable defense, Boone has the flexibility to open the DH spot to other veterans.
Plus, Judge has become the regular center fielder (37 starts) over Aaron Hicks (33).
Jose Trevino: No. 1 in pitch framing
Currently second among AL catchers in the All-Star Game balloting, Trevino is first according to Statcast in framing strikes.
Having quickly learned the staff after his early April acquisition, Trevino's defensive and leadership skills have boosted the club's pitching and his offense has been a surprise.
He's slashing .320/.366/.560 at the plate since May 22, with five home runs and 18 RBI.
Judge and Stanton: 1-2
Another from Statcast: Aaron Judge (15.8) and Giancarlo Stanton (14.7) are atop MLB in the percentage of pitches barreled per plate appearance.
The Yankees have an 8-0 record this year when Judge and Stanton each hit a home run in the same game (21-1 overall as Yankees, including postseason).
Comeback wins: 23
That leads the majors. Last year, the Yankees finished with 44 such wins.
And that’s a credit to the Yanks relief corps, with the last example coming with Monday’s 9-5 win after Oakland took a 5-1 lead against Montgomery.
“Our bullpen does a great job of keeping the game where it is, giving us the ability to’’ rally back, said Josh Donaldson.
Winning percentage: .733
At 55-20, the Yankees have matched their second best 75-game start in franchise history.
It also matches the second best start of any MLB club since 1930, trailing only the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who hold the AL record for wins in a season (116), and the 1998 Yankees, who also started 55-20.
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera