The New York Yankees had the difficult task of starting their first seven games of the 2024 season on the road. But that wasn't the only difficult part of the Yankees' start to their 2024 campaign. They had to face the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks, two teams that made their respective league's championship series. But the Yankees have passed this early-season test with flying colors, taking a 6-1 record as they head back to the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium.

They could not have asked for a better start following a disappointing 2023 season that had them finishing in fourth place in the AL East. The Yankees have set such high standards for themselves, and they don't stay down for very long. And one of their newest additions, left fielder Alex Verdugo, wants the entire MLB to take notice.

“Man, we're dangerous,” Verdugo said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

This 6-1 start against quality opposition has done wonders for the Yankees' confidence heading into their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Juan Soto has adjusted quite well to life in pinstripes, and he knows just how important this strong stretch is for them moving forward.

“After this huge start, it’s good for the confidence going back to New York,” Soto said.

Better things may be in store yet for the Yankees, as even though they've gone to as strong a start as they would have imagined, some of their key players may have room still for some positive regression.

This is not the Yankees' final form yet

Only seven games have passed in the season, so it's only normal for some players not to get into their usual groove quite yet. At present, Aaron Judge has an OPS of .630, and there's no reason whatsoever to expect that to hold.

Manager Aaron Boone, in particular, believes that the 2024 Yankees haven't their final form yet.

“I don’t feel like we’re necessarily on fire by any means,” Boone said.

Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman echoed that sentiment, but even then, he knows that the Yankees, thanks to their roster full of experienced players, know not to get ahead of themselves in any capacity.

“We’re not playing anywhere near our capabilities. But we’re still playing well. And we’re going to start getting better,” Stroman said. “I think we’re off to a great start, but this clubhouse is so good at being even-keeled.”

The Yankees cannot let their foot off the gas pedal, since they're playing in the murderer's row of a division in the AL East.

Iron sharpens iron in the AL East

Last season, four teams in the AL East finished with a winning record. One of them, the Baltimore Orioles, won 101 games. In fact, over the past three seasons, eighty percent of the teams in the division have finished above .500. This just shows the quality of teams in the division, and it figures to be more of the same in 2024.

Thus, the Yankees know the importance of building early momentum so they can have a healthy cushion when it comes to warding off the elite opposition in the AL East.

“I think just in our division, you know, who we have to go through. he Orioles, how good they are. Toronto they’re a young team always get hot, always good. Tampa. You can go down the whole list. It’s a gauntlet going through the AL East,” Judge said.

The Yankees begin the AL East gauntlet with their home opener against the Blue Jays later this afternoon at 1:05 PM E.T.