How MLB lockout’s canceled games may affect Yankees playoff standing

There you have it, New York Yankees fans. The genius of commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners has extended the MLB lockout, resulting in the cancellation of the first two series of the 2022 season. And it’ll probably be more.

How many Yankees games have been canceled in 2022 MLB season?

But for now, the Yankees are out seven games to start the year — four against the Texas Rangers and three against the hated Houston Astros. The lone good news here? They were all road games. And if the campaign now starts April 7, the Bombers would have Opening Day at Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox.

OK, that’d kind of be fun, but what about the lost contests? Four games against the (still) lowly Rangers? Though Texas made a splash in the offseason by signing Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray and Kole Calhoun, they still have a long way to go before coming close to contention.

Not to mention, part of their plan just got thrown off after top prospect Josh Jung, who was believed to fight for the Opening Day starting third base job, underwent shoulder surgery and will miss six months of action.

Texas’ pitching staff is also terrible. The collective 4.79 ERA from 2021 ranked 23rd in MLB and Gray’s presence isn’t going to make that big of a difference. The Rangers need a lot more.

The Yankees had the obvious edge in these four contests, but they’re no more. Losing a potential series win hurts for the long haul, especially when it’s evident every game matters. Did you watch 2021?

Yankees canceled games could affect 2022 playoff standing. Thanks, MLB lockout.

Now, some might assume losing a few games against top contenders is a blessing in disguise, but isn’t the goal to be top dog in your league? Missing three games against Houston will undoubtedly affect the two teams’ head-to-head record. The odds of the Yankees and Astros finishing with the same record are slim, but the two were only three games apart in 2021 … mostly because of two New York meltdowns against Jose Altuve.

Though the Astros are the kings of the AL based on their run since 2017, it must be noted they got significantly worse this offseason. Carlos Correa is more than likely gone. Kendall Graveman is already with the Chicago White Sox. Zack Greinke, who wasn’t great but provided valuable depth, is still a free agent and it’s unclear if he’ll return.

Again, a possible on paper edge for the Yankees, especially this early in the year when teams are adjusting to new personnel. New York has a number of moves that need to be made, but their core is intact. Maybe Lance McCullers Jr. was right to delete his tweets calling out the owners … because the Astros missing six games against the Phillies and Yanks (featuring two Cy Young aces and three of the best sluggers in the game) isn’t exactly the worst thing in the world for them.

Whatever, we’re splitting hairs here at this point because it’s evident the 2022 season won’t be starting until May 1, anyway. We’ll be back soon analyzing how a full month of canceled games further affects the Yankees.

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