The Yankees and the Rangers, after both of their seasons last year seemed like completely different animals. The Yankees, finishing the 2016 season 4th place in the American League East just 8 games over .500. Their counterpart in Madison Square Garden, finished 4th in the Metropolitan division, earning a playoff berth.
While the Yankees did not make the playoffs in 2016, the Yankees saw the emergence of long awaited players such as Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. They started the 2017 season with few believing a run in the playoffs being possible.
The Rangers started last season with the worry of a closing window.