The New York Yankees offense is beginning to look dangerous again. This weekend, they swept the St. Louis Cardinals with wins of 4-3 on Friday, 12-8 on Saturday, and 8-4 on Sunday. It was their first sweep of the second half, and while the bats are clicking, the rotation is starting to raise some red flags.

Saturday’s 12-8 victory came with two clear storylines. The bad news? Max Fried’s struggles continued. The lefty went just five innings, allowing eight hits and seven earned runs. Over his last 8 starts, Fried owns a 6.80 ERA. That’s the worst 8 game stretch of his entire career.

The good news? The offense bailed him out with a statement game. Aaron Judge homered, but it was Ben Rice who stole the spotlight. Rice drove in 7 runs. He continues to prove he’s a professional hitter, consistently making hard contact.

Sunday’s 8-4 win looked different. The Yankees, who lead the league in home runs, didn’t hit a single one. Instead, they relied on small-ball tactics. There were steals, hit-and-runs, and sacrifice flies. That kind of offense is exactly what wins in October, and it was refreshing to see.

Paul Goldschmidt, facing his former team, was given a standing ovation and responded with three hits, including a massive RBI double in the 9th inning. After a brief knee scare on Friday, he looked just fine. Giancarlo Stanton, who had sat out Friday and Saturday, pinch hit, suggesting he was simply resting after three straight games in right field.

The Yankees remain in the third Wild Card spot, but after Boston, Seattle, Cleveland, and Toronto all lost on Sunday, the race tightened. New York is now just half a game behind both the Red Sox and Mariners, and 5.5 games back of the Blue Jays. The division feels out of reach, but the top Wild Card spot is very much in play.

Despite the sweep, the Yankees’ biggest question remains the rotation. Fried looks lost. Carlos Rodón hasn’t been consistent. Luis Gil will need to step up, and while Will Warren has shown flashes, he’s not yet a true workhorse. For now, this is an offense-first team. That’s both exciting and concerning.

The Yankees are off Monday before a quick two-game set against Tampa Bay. After that, a massive 4 game showdown with the Boston Red Sox begins Thursday.