New York Yankees Game 162 Recap

Despite being without superstars Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the New York Yankees finished their season with a cherry on top. This is how it went down:

Grisham and Verdugo Power the Yankees to Victory

Trent Grisham and Alex Verdugo led the charge in Sunday’s victory. Grisham went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, capping off his first season in pinstripes with nine home runs and 31 RBIs. Verdugo provided the game-winning hit, a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning that sealed the victory. Verdugo ends the season with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in what may be his only season in the Bronx.

Clarke Schmidt allows four runs in his final start

Though Clarke Schmidt allowed 4 earned runs in his final start, the 28-year-old finishes the season with an impressive 2.85 ERA. Despite only pitching half a season, Schmidt struck out 93 batters over 85.1 innings, proving to be a crucial arm for the Yankees. With Nestor Cortes’ postseason availability uncertain, Schmidt’s performance will be key as the Yankees look to make a deep playoff run.

Judge Finishes with a .701 slugging percentage

Captain Aaron Judge capped off one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, finishing with a staggering .701 slugging percentage. He is the first player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to reach that mark. Judge also posted a .322 batting average, .458 on-base percentage, 58 home runs, and 144 RBIs, all but securing his second MVP award. His leadership will be pivotal as the Yankees prepare for October.

What’s Next?

New York finishes atop the American League standings for the first time in over a decade. Their 94 wins mark the lowest total for a top seed since 1974, but that won't deter the Bronx Bombers as they aim for postseason glory. The Yankees will open their playoff campaign at home on Oct. 5, where they will face either the Baltimore Orioles or Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series.

Michael Luongo is a passionate New York Yankees fan as a New Jersey native that resides in the Big Apple. He enjoys writing about sports, especially for the Yankees from a fan's perspective. He can be reached at mike@pinnacle-copy.com.