Why Yankees embraced 'chip on our shoulder' mentality ahead of series win vs. Blue Jays

The New York Yankees earned a series win at the Toronto Blue Jays by notching victories at Toronto's Rogers Centre on Saturday and Sunday that improved the Yankees to 43-27 for the season. 

While speaking with reporters following New York's 8-3 win on Sunday, Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren touched upon his team's performances against a division rival.

Yankees, Blue Jays don't like each other

"Chip on our shoulder," Warren said, per Garrett Stepien of SNY. "We don't like those guys over there, and they don't like us. Finding any way to win is always a good one, especially on the road."

In May 2023, the Blue Jays' announcing crew suggested that Yankees captain Aaron Judge was up to something nefarious before he blasted a home run during a game at Toronto. More recently, the Yankees lost three of four American League Division Series games to the Blue Jays this past October.

Over the weekend, the Yankees suffered an 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday. On Saturday, Paul Goldschmidt hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning to propel New York to a 3-1 win. The Yankees then struck for five runs in the ninth inning during what became Sunday's victory. 

"It just speaks to the mentality of the group," Yankees slugger Ben Rice said about his team's two wins up North. "I feel like everyone's got that next-man-up mentality -- regardless of who's on the mound, regardless of the situation."

Yankees know they've got to "keep going"

Rice made his "next-man-up" comment amid a time when it's unknown when the previously mentioned Judge will return from a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. It's believed Judge could remain out of action through at least a portion of September.

"It feels good to shake hands and be celebrating a win in here after -- which, obviously, that was very difficult for us in this building last year," Yankees manager Aaron Boone added. "So, it is a new year. You've got to keep going all the time." 

The Yankees are off Monday and will then begin a three-game home series versus the Chicago White Sox (38-32) on Tuesday.