The New York Yankees are coming off a 2024 season where they were just short of their 28th championship. The American League’s representative in the World Series lost in 5 games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 2025 will look a little different for the Yankees. Not only in personnel but they have broken the mold and are now allowing their players to have “well-groomed” beards and facial hair.
A tradition that has been around since the 1970s is no longer in effect but bettors should feel comfortable with their tradition for winning. According to BetMGM their over/under is set at the highest in the American League at 93.5 and this number does not scare us.
Yankees Win Total OVER 93.5 (-105)
Outlook Based Off Last Season
The Bronx Bombers ended 2024 with the best record in the American League at 94-68. With two MVP candidates in the lineup, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the offensive charge. Judge would go on to win the American League MVP with a .322 Average, 58 Home Runs, and 144 RBI. The team as a whole led Major League Baseball in Home Runs with 237 and were top-10 in both team Average and team ERA. New York was consistently over .500 month by month except for July last season where they were two games under.
After winning the brutal American League East division, and earning the number 1 seed, the Yankees marched through the playoffs. They easily beat the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians only losing two total games in those series. Ultimately losing to the LA Dodgers in the World Series in five games, the Yankees are looking to repeat their success of last season. This time, taking the next step and trying to bring home their record 28th World Series Championship.
Offseason Moves
New York has been very busy in the offseason as they usually are. The biggest move was not being able to sign MVP-caliber outfielder Juan Soto. Soto only spent one year in the pinstripes before taking the subway across town and signing with the Mets. Yankee fans should not worry though. Even with losing Soto, the team shouldn’t have any issues racking up the Ws. The team went and acquired outfielder Cody Bellinger and former two-time National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt. These two are obviously not Juan Soto but they should bring some quality at-bats to an already stacked lineup.
New York also made a huge splash bringing in former Atlanta Braves ace, Max Fried. Fried signed an eight-year deal to join a rotation that includes three-time Cy Young Award Winner Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Gil. The Yanks are also getting back a healthy DJ LeMahieu and Jazz Chisholm for the entire season. Chisholm was acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the Miami Marlins and should have quite an impact on the team this season.
Final Thoughts
The New York Yankees lineup may be as threatening as the Los Angeles Dodgers. From top to bottom, they give opposing pitchers nightmares. They were able to win 94 games last season and I believe this team even without Soto will be better. The pitching has improved and there aren’t any holes in the lineup. With Judge in the lineup, it gives protection to every single batter on the roster. The power of facial hair for the former clean-shaving Yanks will prove to be the right move in 2025. I would expect this version of the Bronx Bombers will win 95 to 100 games this season. Let it ride!
The Pick Is In: New York Yankees OVER 93.5 Wins
