The New York Yankees have a world of momentum as October approaches, which is bad news for other teams in the American League playoff picture. While New York might not be the hottest team over the past week (that distinction belongs to the Cleveland Guardians), no one has been better than the Yankees since early August.

Everything seems to be coming together for the Yankees at the right time. Max Fried is looking dominant again, Aaron Judge is looking healthy again, and vibes are good in the Bronx.

The Yankees haven’t ruled out winning the division, either. Entering Sunday, New York trailed the Toronto Blue Jays by just two games in the AL East.

Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and the rest of New York’s star-studded lineup will continue to put immense pressure on opposing pitching staffs to be at their absolute best when the playoffs start.

The key for the Yankees will be whether or not Fried, and particularly, Carlos Rodón, can replicate their regular season effectiveness once the pressure rises.

Fried went through a rough stretch this summer but came out the other end of it looking like an ace again. Rodón’s season has not been perfect, but it’s been on the whole probably the most successful campaign in his career.

If Fried and Rodón are locked in during a playoff series, the Yankees have to be considered the team to beat in the AL postseason.