Episode 131

bonus
Published on:

5th Oct 2026

BONUS: ALDS Game 2 Reaction (10/5/26)

Five errors. Four hits. Two playoff games. And suddenly the Yankees are staring at a problem that feels much bigger than one bad night.

Chris and AJ react immediately to the Yankees' Game 2 loss and try to make sense of another frustrating postseason performance. The offense continues to struggle, the defense completely lets the pitching staff down, and the Yankees find themselves relying on their pitchers to be nearly perfect just to have a chance.

But the frustration goes beyond Game 2.

Are these simply mistakes by individual players, or is there something fundamentally wrong with how the Yankees are constructed? Chris and AJ question the organization's roster-building philosophy, lineup decisions, player development, and whether the Yankees are doing enough to maximize the remaining years of Aaron Judge's championship window.

They also look at the emergence of younger players like Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr., debate who should actually be on the field, and wonder how much longer fans should expect the same approach to produce different results.

And with the Yankees now needing to fight their way back into the series, there's only one question left:

Can they actually turn this thing around—or are we already looking toward the offseason?

Listen for the immediate reaction, the frustration, the roster questions, and the familiar feeling that the Yankees may be running out of time.

Topics Discussed

  • Why the Yankees' defense became such a major factor in Game 2.
  • Why relying on pitching to win consistently isn't a sustainable postseason strategy.
  • How the Yankees' offensive struggles have continued into the playoffs.
  • Why Chris and AJ believe the problems may extend beyond individual players.
  • What five defensive errors say about the team's overall preparation and construction.
  • Why Aaron Judge's championship window adds urgency to the Yankees' situation.
  • Which younger players could represent part of the Yankees' future.
  • Why the Yankees' lineup decisions are drawing criticism.
  • How other organizations appear to be getting more out of their players.
  • Why the Yankees may need to rethink their organizational philosophy.

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About the Podcast

The Chase for 28 - A Yankees Podcast
Join Chris, John "The Podcast Padre" Nesi, & AJ "The Podcast Paisan" Bianco as they break down the latest Yankees news every week.
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About your hosts

Christopher Nesi

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Husband. Father. Lifelong Yankee Fan!

John Nesi

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The Podcast Padre is a lifelong Yankee Fan whose fandom began in the bleachers when $5 got you a round-trip train ticket to the Bronx, a seat in the bleachers, and a meatball sub.