Girardi believes Yankees will make playoffs: 'I see a postseason team'

The New York Yankees might be playing below expectations, but the club's former manager Joe Girardi still believes the Bronx Bombers will make the playoffs.

"I see a postseason team," Girardi said on Wednesday, according to the New York Post's Ian O'Connor, after the Yankees swept his Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game set this week.

"This is a team that's been in the postseason the last four years, and before that it had a long, long run," he added. “Until they don't make it, I won't believe it.”

Girardi managed the Yankees for a decade before Aaron Boone replaced him following the 2017 season. He won three division titles and the 2009 World Series in New York, so Girardi knows how well his former club can play.

"You look at how many people they've had injured and the COVID cases they've had, and yet they're right in the mix," Girardi said.

"I still don't think they've hit their offensive stride. You get a couple of guys hot in that lineup, they'll score runs galore," he continued. "And they've got some pitchers that hopefully are coming back for them that will make a difference down the last month or two. But there's still a ton of talent over there."

The Yankees are third in the American League East at 50-44 after taking two games from the Phillies. PECOTA projected them to win their division, but several of their best players have missed time due to injury or have underperformed.