The Philadelphia Phillies are on a tear this season and are looking unstoppable. On the other hand, we have the New York Yankees, who have one of the greatest players of this generation in Aaron Judge and are still struggling. With the postseason just a couple of weeks away, Clint Frazier, ex-Yankees player, took his pick on the World Series favorite, and guess what? He did not pick his former team. In his recent video, Frazier talked about who the World Series favorites are, and he said, “I’ve got the Phillies winning the World Series. Schwarber’s going crazy.” 

The Philadelphia Phillies are dominating the 2025 MLB season, boasting a commanding 12-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East. Their recent four-game sweep of the Mets has solidified their position, with a magic number of just seven to clinch the division title. This dominance is underscored by Kyle Schwarber‘s historic performance, hitting four home runs in a single game, bringing his season total to 52. His consistent power, combined with a league-leading 119 RBIs, has been instrumental in the Phillies’ offensive surge. The team’s depth and resilience are evident as they continue to perform at an elite level, securing their fourth consecutive postseason berth.

In stark contrast, the New York Yankees are grappling with inconsistency and underperformance. Despite Aaron Judge‘s exceptional season, leading the league with a .326 batting average, 48 home runs, and 102 RBIs, the team’s overall performance has been lackluster. The Yankees’ starting rotation has faltered, and their bullpen struggles persist, leading to a series of disappointing losses. Offensively, the reliance on home runs has not been enough to overcome defensive lapses and mental errors. This inconsistency has left fans and analysts questioning the team’s ability to contend in the postseason.

The Yankees’ challenges are compounded by internal uncertainties. Shortstop Anthony Volpe, once a promising prospect, has seen his role diminish due to ongoing struggles, with discussions about his future with the team intensifying. Manager Aaron Boone faces mounting pressure as the team fails to meet expectations. In contrast, the Phillies’ cohesive unit and strategic depth have propelled them to the forefront of the league, with Schwarber’s leadership exemplifying the team’s collective commitment to excellence.

As the postseason approaches, the disparity between the two teams is evident. The Phillies’ consistent performance and historical achievements position them as formidable contenders, while the Yankees’ internal struggles and lack of cohesion raise doubts about their postseason prospects. This contrast highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball, where even the most storied franchises can face challenges, and emerging teams can seize the spotlight.

The fans might not be confident, but the Yankees think they are the team to beat

Confidence has never been in short supply in the Bronx, even if the standings often disagree. The New York Yankees, armed with payroll bravado and pinstriped pride, continue to pitch themselves as inevitable contenders. Fans may roll their eyes, but inside the clubhouse, the narrative never changes: the Yankees are the team to beat. That conviction sets the stage for a veteran’s pointed verdict elsewhere.

The Yankees’ clubhouse has found its swagger again, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. has become the loudest voice echoing it. He claims, “we’re coming with relentlessness and we’re coming to step on necks,” insisting opponents should beware. The sentiment captures a team that believes it has rediscovered its true level of dominance. For a squad that stumbled midseason, this renewed bravado feels like both a revival and a rallying cry.

Yet confidence has a way of turning into overconfidence if reality doesn’t match the rhetoric. Chisholm admitted, “We’ve been playing to everybody else’s level instead of our own level,” a striking self-assessment. The Yankees’ 26-29 record against winning AL teams warns that bravado won’t suffice in October. Believing you’re “the team to beat” is useful, but delivering consistently against contenders is the only truth.

And that’s where the hook lies: the clubhouse believes, but the standings keep raising eyebrows. Jazz Chisholm Jr. can shout about “stepping on necks,” and Aaron Judge can keep swinging history into existence, but October will demand receipts. The Yankees can strut like kings of the Bronx all they want—parades don’t march on rhetoric. Until they turn swagger into sustained scalps, the only necks they’ll step on belong to themselves.