Yankees series win over the Astros proves their caliber

The New York Yankees opened the work week with a three-game series against the reigning World Champion Houston Astros. The tides turned this time around as the Yanks were able to win two out of three.

Winning the series is obviously a good sight for the Yankees; as these three contests bring back memories of last season’s ALCS in which the Astros stole in seven games, earning themselves a subsequent World Series appearance.

This is not the first time these two teams have played each other this season. Earlier in the year, the two teams met for a four-game tilt, only that time the Yanks came away with three victories.

The Yankees are now 5-2 against the Astros in 2018, showing that this new and improved Yankee squad is even stronger than last year’s unexpectedly successful team.

And to show the Yanks true caliber this season, they have compiled an 18-6 record against teams above .500. Not only is this .750 winning percentage extremely impressive but it also shows that come postseason, the Yanks can battle it out with the best — and more than hold their own.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)

However, the 2018 New York Yankees do look to struggle against teams with lesser records.

With a 15-10 record against teams below .500, something just isn’t adding up. How could a team’s winning percentage drop .150 while playing inferior clubs?

That 15-10 record includes losing three out of four to the Baltimore Orioles early in the season and winning just one game in Texas against the Rangers last week.

With these two poorly played series over a month apart, the reasoning might not be the streakiness and luck associated with baseball. Perhaps away games are burdening the Bombers?

The Yankees have the worst away record of .600+ teams, 13-8, but they have also played in other stadiums less than any other team in baseball. So maybe some of the Baby Bombers haven’t acclimated to road games just yet.

But that does not explain poor performances against teams with negative records. Nevertheless, such a strong winning percentage against the “good teams” shows that when push comes to shove; the Yanks are ready to compete with the best MLB has to offer.

And the Yanks will need to continue to play great baseball in hopes of catching the Boston Red Sox, who currently lead the divisional race by two games. Playing near .700 ball, the Red Sox are red hot.

Next: Yankees: Poor defense is proving to be a liability for team

The other good news is that there are no “bad teams” in the playoffs, so quite possibly, the Yanks will breeze through the postseason, especially when playing in Yankee Stadium.