Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in New York Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The story of the 2025 Yankees thus far is one of adjusting expectations. At the start of spring training, there was a cautious optimism, as despite losing superstar Juan Soto in free agency to the crosstown rival Mets, the Yankees put forth a solid Plan B by picking up Cody Bellinger's contract from the Cubs, signing starter Max Fried and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and acquiring standout Brewers closer Devin Williams. Injuries throughout camp removed ace Gerrit Cole from the equation for the season and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil for months. The hope waned until the Yankees got off to an impressive start, an 18-13 opening month en route to a seven-game lead in the AL East by the end of play on Memorial Day.
The Yankees swept a road series from the Angels that began on Memorial Day; that had followed a series win in Colorado against the Rockies. That stands as the last time the Yankees won consecutive series. Since then, the team has been in a free fall, doing nothing to dispel manager Aaron Boone's reputation for summer swoons. Despite missing Cole and Gil, the pitching staff had looked excellent; they've been cold since the start of June. The once-potent lineup has been in an ugly slump since the All-Star break.
All told, the Yanks are 27-36 since May 28th, third-worst in the American League. As such, they've squandered their division lead and now trail both the Blue Jays (6.5 GB) and Red Sox (2 GB). The Wild Card is slipping out of grasp too, as Seattle has joined Boston in passing them by; now, New York is just a half-game ahead of Cleveland for the last playoff spot (and 2.5 up on Texas). On paper, this team has the talent to go on a run and restore order to at least some degree, but can they get it done?
So for this week's Reacts survey, we want to know if you think the Yankees will make the playoffs and if so, whether it will be by the AL East or Wild Card. We also must broach the question of whether this will be the Yankees team to snap their streak of 32 consecutive winning seasons. They came close in 2023 but eked out an 82-80 finish. Will they top .500?
Vote in the polls below and we'll check out the results later this week.