New York Yankees’ 7-2 Start Feels Different Than Years Past

MLB League Archives |
Written By Nick Crain | Published at April 6, 2026
Apr 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) heads to the dugout after catching a fly ball to end the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees have started the season 7-2, which is a strong opening for any team. This is also a group that, for the last few seasons, has had championship aspirations but just has not been able to get over the hump. And as usual, when it comes to a powerhouse franchise like New York, the one team that is always going to be right there on equal footing is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are also 7-2 and looking as good as anybody in baseball. In fact, the Yankees are second behind them in World Series Championship odds at +800 via FanDuel.

That said, 7-2 is still the best record in the American League, while in the National League both the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers sit at 7-2 as well. So the question becomes, could this be the year the Yankees finally break through?

What has stood out most to this point is the run prevention. The Yankees have all the power in the world offensively, but through the opening stretch, it has been the pitching staff and the defense that have really set the tone. This has looked like a complete team. There is a real argument that, through nine games, the Yankees have been the best, or at worst the second-best, team in Major League Baseball. It all comes down to putting everything together when it mtters most.

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Of course, there are still more than 150 games left, and a lot can change between now and October. There will be injuries, slumps and all the ups and downs that come with a long season. Still, it does feel different early on for the Yankees, and there is at least a real chance that this could be the year they win it all.

With Aaron Judge at the helm, perhaps this is the year in which the New York Yankees come out on top.

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