Yankees’ Dependency on Star Performers Echoes 2019 Nationals’ Strategy

The New York Yankees are drawing comparisons to the 2019 Washington Nationals as they prepare for a decisive American League Division Series Game 3 against the Kansas City Royals. Juan Soto, who has recently joined the Yankees, played a pivotal role in the Nationals’ success during their World Series-winning campaign in 2019, and he is expected to bring similar contributions to his new team.

The 2019 Nationals were notably front-loaded with talent, featuring key performers such as Soto, Anthony Rendon, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg. These players executed crucial performances across four postseason series, leading the team to victory. In contrast, the Yankees’ current roster showcases powerhouses like Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Soto himself, and Giancarlo Stanton.

Gleyber Torres provided the most consistent batting for the Yankees in the early games of the series, while the Yankees’ bullpen—comprising less well-known players like Jake Cousins and Tim Mayza—held strong. Reporter observations suggest that the Yankees’ fortunes often rise and fall with their top players’ performances.

Despite their star power, the Yankees faced challenges in the series’ first two games. Aaron Judge, Cole, and Rodon struggled to match expectations, resulting in one win and one loss leading up to Game 3. The Royals outperformed the Yankees in many respects, which leaves New York anxious for a revival in team performance.

Juan Soto emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “Our big stars had big moments, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the whole team. We can’t lean on one player.” In the 2019 postseason, Soto and Rendon accounted for a significant portion of the Nationals’ RBIs, complemented by essential contributions from other players such as Patrick Corbin, Howie Kendrick, and Adam Eaton.

The Nationals’ success in 2019 was bolstered by standout performances from pitchers like Scherzer and Strasburg, who won all of their ten starts combined during the postseason. The Yankees now look to mirror such success by rejuvenating their top players’ impact, particularly Gerrit Cole, who is anticipated to pitch Game 4 and expressed eagerness for “another crack” at it.

The series between the Yankees and the Royals underscores the challenges of relying heavily on a few star players. With a payroll significantly higher than that of the Royals, the Yankees’ five top-earning players—including Judge, Soto, Cole, Rodon, and Stanton—are under pressure to perform to secure a series win.