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NEW YORK – The AL East victory party at Yankee Stadium is over and now it's all about October.

“We had a lot to prove after how we did last year,” manager Aaron Boone said late Thursday night after the Yankees secured their third division title with a 10-1 win under Boone over the playoff-bound Baltimore Orioles had.

Last year's Yankees club missed the postseason tournament, and this year's team will be the favorite to advance from the AL field to the World Series.

“We've already been through a lot as a team this year, so I think we're battle-tested for what's ahead,” Boone said, still having a few things to sort out before the AL Division Series begins in October. 5 at Yankee Stadium.

Get the AL's best record

With three games remaining, the Yankees' magic number is two to secure the AL's best record over the Cleveland Guardians, with the Yanks holding the tiebreaker advantage.

“We would love to get it. Still, I’m going to make sure I give the guys a day here,” Boone said. “I feel like we have to do it.” “But we're going to play to win.”

Having the best record in the league would give the Yanks home-field advantage in the AL playoffs, and that means Games 6 and 7 must be played in an AL Championship Series, if necessary.

And if you think that's no big deal, well, the last time the Yanks won a pennant – in 2009 – was also the last time they hosted a Game 6 in an ALCS.

Three times before (2010, 2017, 2019) the Americans lost either ALCS Game 6 or 7 on the road, ending their season.

While the Yankees (93-66) face the last-place NL Central Pittsburgh Pirates at home this weekend, the Guardians (92-67) host the Houston Astros (86-73), who have already won the AL West.

And if you still think the Yanks have an easier path, consider that Pittsburgh will feature rookie sensation Paul Skenes against Luis Gil on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Who's in left field?

According to Boone, the Yankees still aren't sure if Alex Verdugo or Jasson Dominguez is the regular pick here, or a combination.

And that's something for a division-winning team, with the postseason starting in a week.

“I'm just trying to sort things out in this last week,” Boone said, suggesting it could be a fluid situation heading into October. “Of course we will have to make difficult decisions.”

At the base level, there are concerns about Dominguez's defense in left field. Could the switch-hitting rookie's offensive potential lead to Verdugo serving primarily as a late-inning backup in left field?

“(We) feel like both guys bring a lot to the table, so honestly it's a tough task night in and night out,” Boone said, adding that “both guys can help us win games, no matter which one role.” .''

During Thursday night's decisive game, Dominguez (0-2, walk, 2 strikeouts) was replaced defensively by Verdugo, who hit a home run in the eighth inning – just his fourth home run since June 14.

Which pitchers will the Yankees take in the ALDS?

The last time they played in the best-of-five Division Series in 2022, the Yanks had 12 pitchers.

Boone said such conversations wouldn't happen until they win the division, but it's safe to assume they'll take 12 pitchers again in the hope that one of them is Jake Cousins.

Cousins, a right-handed hitter with a standout slider, emerged as a high-leverage factor in the Yankees' bullpen but is currently sidelined with a pectoral strain.

It's possible he'll be ready for Friday's ALDS opener. Either way, the Yanks still have to decide whether Marcus Stroman will play a role, assuming Clarke Schmidt (or Luis Gil) is the Game 3 starter.

Cody Poteet might be better equipped for a long backup role, and backups Mark Leiter Jr., Tim Mayza and Scott Effross could be on the outside.

As for the rotation, the Yankees will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Stadium this weekend with Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt.

After top players Gerrit Cole and Rodon in an ALDS best-of-five rotation, the Yanks may only need one starter in the ALDS, with a day off between Games 1 and 2 and a travel date after Games 2 and 4.

On By John Fenwick

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