The most important thing for the New York Yankees during the stretch run of the regular season and into the playoffs is going to be the health of their top hitters. They need Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger back if they are going to make a serious run at the American League pennant, and there is hope that could start happening soon. 

If they can get those bats back, and if they can hit like expected, the Yankees could quickly become a formidable contender. 

Not only because that would be a lot of power coming back into the lineup, but also because it would be going with a pitching staff that is starting to find its way.

That includes, most importantly, veteran ace Gerrit Cole.

Cole made his debut a little more than a month ago after missing the entire 2025 season, and he is now really starting to dominate. He had that on display again on Saturday in a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Gerrit Cole is rolling for the New York Yankees

Cole went seven innings in Saturday's win, and while he did allow two runs, he did not walk a single batter, struck out nine and was wildly efficient as he threw just 82 pitches. He had two innings that were so dominant and efficient that he got through each of them on just eight pitches.

The outing lowers his season ERA down to 3.35, while he has been especially dominant over his past three starts.

Including Saturday's game, he has allowed just three earned runs in 18.2 innings over those starts, while striking out 21 batters and walking just five of them. 

That is exactly what the Yankees want, and need, to see from their ace. 

When you add that to a rotation that already has Cam Schlittler, who has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League this season, as well as the return of a healthy Max Fried, the Yankees' 1-3 of their starting rotation can stack up with any team in baseball.

That is going to give you a chance in any playoff series, and especially a best-of-three or best-of-five early in the playoffs.  

Now they just need to get their top hitters back to bring the whole thing together.