It’s Stupid To Think That The Yankees Postseason Path Was Easy

On their way to the World Series, the New York Yankees dispatched both the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians. However, this has resulted in an incredibly stupid narrative that New York’s path to the World Series was easy. This seems to have become the talk of primarily Orioles and Astros fans who have no idea what to do until 2025. Given that both the ALDS and ALCS were no cakewalks for the Yankees, the accusations are simply untrue. No path to the World Series is easy and the Yankees’ most recent quest was no different.

Getting To The World Series Is Much More Difficult Now

Getting to the World Series is arguably the most difficult thing to do in all sports. Player salaries are only getting higher, there are more postseason rounds, more teams can go to the playoffs, the luxury tax penalties are going to get worse, and cheap owners will continue to look for ways to penalize those who spend a lot of money. All 30 MLB teams play 162 games with very few days off battling to get to the postseason. Some argue that securing a bye hinders their chances to get to the World Series. The path to a championship has never been more difficult in today’s game.

The Yankees Had A Hard Fought ALDS

In the American League leg of the 2024 postseason, the other teams it featured were the Guardians, Astros, Orioles, Royals, and Tigers. All five of these teams had the same “easy path” the Yankees had to the World Series. However, in the Wild Card round, the Astros and Orioles were swept by the Tigers and Royals respectively. This meant that in the ALDS the Yankees would face the Kansas City Royals and ultimately win the series in four games. However, this series was no picnic for the Yankees. All four games were decided by two runs or less.

The Cleveland Guardians Were No Picnic In The ALCS

The Yankees would draw the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS. Cleveland won their ALDS matchup against Detroit in a hard-fought five games. Coming into that series, the Guardians had five all-stars in Jose Ramirez, Emmanuel Clase, David Fry, Steven Kwan, and Josh Naylor. The Guardians had the best bullpen in the regular season. Led by Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, and Eli Morgan, Cleveland’s bullpen compiled an ERA of 2.57. Emmanuel Clase had a Cy Young-worthy season compiling an ERA of 0.61 and saving 47 games. Cleveland also had the best home record during the regular season as well.

The Yankees would eliminate the Guardians in five games. However, like their ALDS matchup, there were no blowouts. All five games were hard-fought and decided by three runs or less. The Yankees even found themselves trailing in two of those games and had to make comebacks. New York also had to work through the adversity of blowing a save in game three and eventually losing. Given how tough Cleveland played New York, this ALCS was anything but easy for the Yankees.

What Happened Astros And Orioles Fans?

If the Yankees’ path was so easy, then why did the Orioles and Astros crash and burn early? The Orioles were swept by the same Kansas City Royals team the Yankees beat in four games. Had the Astros beat the Tigers, they still would’ve had to get through the Cleveland Guardians. With how hard-fought Cleveland’s ALDS was against Detroit, there’s no guarantee that the Astros would make it to the ALCS. Given how both the Astros and Orioles didn’t even win a game in the Wild Card round, their fans have no right to say that the Yankees’ postseason path was “easy.” Orioles and Astros fans ought to shut up because their teams are at home while the Yankees are playing in the World Series.

Stop With The Stupid And Untrue Narrative

Getting to the World Series has never been harder. Player salaries are larger, there are more postseason rounds, more teams get into the postseason, luxury tax penalties are stiffer, and cheap owners are trying to find new ways to further punish those who spend lots of money. The Yankees’ postseason against the Royals and Guardians was not easy. There were no blowouts, and every game was decided by three runs or less. The Astros and Orioles had an opportunity to advance to get to the Yankees, however, they were embarrassingly swept early. Maybe Baltimore and Houston fans should focus on how badly their teams performed instead of how “easy” the Yankees postseason was. Given that the Yankees are in the World Series and Baltimore and Houston aren’t, Astros and Orioles fans should retire the narrative before they continue to become even more idiotic.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter/X. Featured images: Getty Images