Spring is here, which means it’s time for one of America’s greatest pastimes to kick off. That’s right, it’s baseball season! And for fans of the New York Yankees, the anticipation is at an all-time high.
The New York Yankees Schedule
Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of the New York Yankees schedule for the 2021 season:
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4/1/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/3/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/4/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/5/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/6/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/7/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/8/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/9/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 7:05 PM ET |
| 4/10/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/11/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/12/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/13/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/14/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/15/21 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/16/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 7:05 PM ET |
| 4/18/21 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/20/21 | Atlanta Braves | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/21/21 | Atlanta Braves | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/22/21 | Cleveland Indians | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/23/21 | Cleveland Indians | 7:05 PM ET |
| 4/24/21 | Cleveland Indians | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/25/21 | Cleveland Indians | 1:05 PM ET |
| 4/27/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/28/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 6:35 PM ET |
| 4/29/21 | Baltimore Orioles | 7:05 PM ET |
| 4/30/21 | Detroit Tigers | 7:05 PM ET |
Don Mattingly’s Return to Yankee Stadium
Yankees fans are also excited to see the return of former player and manager Don Mattingly. Now the skipper of the Miami Marlins, Mattingly will lead his team into Yankee Stadium for a three-game interleague matchup from April 16-18.
Mattingly spent his entire 14-year career with the Yankees, and was named the American League MVP in 1985. He later served as hitting coach and bench coach before taking over as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011. In 2016, he was named NL Manager of the Year before joining the Marlins in 2019.
Despite his success elsewhere, Mattingly remains a beloved figure in the Bronx. Fans are sure to give him a warm welcome when he walks onto the field at Yankee Stadium.
Aaron Judge’s Quest for Greatness
Another reason for Yankees fans to be excited is the continued development of star outfielder Aaron Judge. The towering slugger burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting a rookie-record 52 home runs and finishing second in AL MVP voting behind only Jose Altuve.
Since then, Judge has battled injuries and seen his production decline slightly from his historic rookie campaign. But he still possesses immense talent and potential, and figures to be a key piece of the Yankees’ lineup for years to come.
Despite his individual success, Judge’s ultimate goal is team success. He came tantalizingly close to a World Series ring in 2017, as the Yankees fell to the Houston Astros in a closely contested seven-game ALCS. But with a talented roster and several new additions, including pitcher Corey Kluber and outfielder Rougned Odor, Judge and the Yankees are poised for another deep playoff run in 2021.
Exciting Matchups at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees are fortunate to play in one of the most iconic stadiums in sports, and fans will have several opportunities to witness exciting matchups in the Bronx this season.
From April 20-22, the Yankees will host the Atlanta Braves, who feature a talented lineup headlined by reigning National League MVP Freddie Freeman. The series will also feature a much-anticipated matchup between Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and Braves sensation Ronald Acuna Jr.
In May, the Yankees will welcome the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a two-game series on the 25th and 26th. The Dodgers boast a loaded roster, led by perennial MVP candidate Mookie Betts and one of the game’s most dominant pitchers in Clayton Kershaw.
Gleyber Torres Takes Over at Shortstop
One of the Yankees’ top young talents is infielder Gleyber Torres. The 24-year-old Venezuelan burst onto the scene in 2018, hitting .271 with 24 home runs and finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Torres took over as the Yankees’ starting shortstop in 2019, and has continued to improve his game on both offense and defense. He hit .243 with three home runs in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but figures to bounce back and play a key role in the Yankees’ success in 2021.
Torres is part of a talented and youthful core that figures to keep the Yankees in contention for years to come. And with star players like Judge and Cole leading the way, the sky’s the limit for this storied franchise.
