The Yankees’ playoff chances are almost completely gone, but they won’t be extinguished on Saturday, thanks to their game against the Diamondbacks being postponed due to inclement weather.
They could have been eliminated with a loss on Friday, coupled either with a win by the Blue Jays or Astros.
Instead, Aaron Judge hit three homers and extended their season at least until Sunday.
Since the Yankees are 78-76 and both the Blue Jays and Astros can still finish with 76 losses, the Yankees still need to lose to be knocked out.
With more bad weather in the forecast for Sunday and Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks to be made up on Monday, according to the Yankees, it remains to be seen when their playoff hopes will officially end.
As for the remaining two games against Arizona and no guarantee Sunday’s game will be played in The Bronx, the Yankees have an off day Monday and the Diamondbacks game against the White Sox in Chicago was switched to Thursday, so there is a potential for a game (or games) at the Stadium on Monday.
Both teams’ regular seasons end next Sunday, Oct. 1 and the wild card series are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Oct. 3.
The Yankees finish the regular season with a six-game road trip that begins Tuesday and Toronto and ends in Kansas City.
Fans with tickets to Saturday’s game may use them for the rescheduled game or exchange them for tickets to a “similar” regular season game at the Stadium, subject to availability, as described in the team’s rain check policy.