As the MLB season rolls on, we’re diving into each division to separate the true contenders from the pretenders. Over the next week, we’ll ask one simple question about every team: Legit or fraud?
**New York Yankees**
Record: 26-16
**Biggest Surprise:** The pitching staff’s impressive performance, especially considering the rotation started the year without both Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole.
**MVP:** Aaron Judge — an obvious choice. Judge leads the league with 16 home runs and 30 RBIs across 41 games. He got off to a slow start but has already returned to his typical historic pace, currently on track for over 60 homers.
**One Sentence:** The Yankees are the only team in the American League that stands as a guaranteed contender, making them the heavy favorite to win the AL.
**Legit or fraud?** Legit, without question.
**Other AL East Breakdowns:**
Boston Red Sox
**More MLB:** The 2026 Boston Red Sox Will Shock The MLB World
