New York manager Aaron Boone is already growing tired of questions about the Yankees’ ability to adjust without injured star Aaron Judge. He believes the team has more than enough talent to contend until the slugging outfielder returns.
The Yankees will look to support Boone’s claim when they begin a three-game series against the host Cleveland Guardians on Monday.
New York has won eight of its last 12 games, including a 6-1 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Sunday. Cleveland lost 10-0 to the host Texas Rangers on Sunday and has dropped three of its last four games while remaining atop the American League Central Division.
The Guardians are returning home after going 3-3 during their trip against the Yankees and the Rangers. Cleveland took two of three against the Yankees last week.
“It was a great road trip,” Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges said. “We split against two teams — won the series in New York, played a couple of really good games against the Rangers and one not-so-good one. A split on the road, still in first place? Right where we need to be.”
The Yankees are also in a good place after securing a split of their rain-shortened, two-game series against Boston over the weekend.
Paul Goldschmidt is batting .319 with two homers and 10 RBIs over his last 11 games for New York, which is counting on the veteran first baseman to help fill the void left by several injured players.
In addition to Judge (fractured right rib), New York is playing without designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain) and catcher Austin Wells (cervical headaches).
Boone said his team is up to the challenge.
“Look, we’ve got really good players. They’re in a good place,” Boone said. “Obviously, it makes it more challenging when you’re missing really key pieces, but we’re capable of playing really good baseball. … We’ve got grown-ups in the room, for sure.”
Right-hander Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.20 ERA) will take the mound for Cleveland in the series opener. He won his fourth consecutive start by giving up three runs over 5 1/3 innings in a 5-4 road victory over the Yankees last Wednesday.
“I thought Gavin was great,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “They got his pitch count up early, but he really settled in, kept them off the scoreboard and turned in a phenomenal performance.”
Williams, 26, has relied on five different pitches to lead the American League in wins while pitching at least five innings in all 13 of his starts.
Goldschmidt is 1-for-8 with six strikeouts against Williams, who is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts versus New York.
New York will counter with right-hander Will Warren (7-1, 3.22), who allowed three unearned runs over six innings in a 13-8 road win over the Athletics on May 31.
“We got a big lead, so (the plan) was to just fill up the zone as much as I can and let them earn their way on,” Warren said.
Warren, 26, is 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA over his last four starts covering 22 2/3 innings. He is making his second career start against Cleveland.
Warren last faced the Guardians on April 22, 2025, when he received a no-decision after giving up two runs on three hits over five innings.
–Field Level Media
