Yankees’ pitching surge and Judge’s power steady New York’s late push

BOSTON — The New York Yankees have righted their season behind a dominant starting rotation and the power of Aaron Judge, a combination that has given the club a clear path toward the regular-season finish and beyond.

Luis Gil returned from a lat injury on Aug. 3 and helped form the rotation that has been in place for the past 36 games. During that span the Yankees’ starters have posted the majors’ best ERA at 2.96, a surge that has stabilized New York’s pitching and reduced reliance on the bullpen.

Judge has continued to supply the team’s primary offensive power, helping offset stretches when the lineup has otherwise been inconsistent. The right fielder remained the Yankees’ most potent run producer, and his performance has been a key complement to the starting staff’s improved results.

The timing of Gil’s return was pivotal. The rotation assembled since early August has limited opponents and shortened games for New York’s bullpen, allowing manager and coaches to deploy relievers more strategically. That steadiness in the early innings has also preserved leads and created more favorable late-game situations for a lineup that has leaned on Judge for homers and high-leverage production.

The 36-game stretch with this rotation in place has been the major driver behind the Yankees’ recent climb in standings, as starters have consistently delivered length and quality starts. That consistency has been reflected in the league-best ERA figure and has helped the club remain in position for a postseason push.

The Yankees’ approach has emphasized power from the lineup and run prevention from the mound. Maintaining health in the rotation and sustaining Judge’s offensive output will be central to New York’s prospects in the remaining weeks of the regular season. The club’s recent run underscores how those two elements together can carry a team through the stretch drive and into October.

Further roster moves and day-to-day management of pitchers’ workloads are likely to shape the team’s immediate outlook, but the combination of a rejuvenated starting staff and Judge’s continued power production has given the Yankees tangible momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.