The 2018 New York Yankees regular season schedule organizes 162 games across the full six-month MLB season, defining playoff positioning and daily plans for fans. This verified overview clarifies how the schedule is structured, series lengths, typical game times, and broadcast availability. Each opponent and venue are listed in league-approved order so you can plan around specific matchups, rivalry series, and potential makeup games. Below you will find clear summaries of each month, a compact table of monthly counts, and direct answers to common questions about start dates, day games, and postseason context.
Schedule Structure and Basics
Every MLB team plays 162 games divided across 19 to 20 series per season. The Yankees 2018 regular season schedule balances home and road games, interleague contests, and natural breaks defined by the All-Star Game and league schedule windows. Each series ranges from two to six games, and the full slate typically runs from early March through late September. Playoff qualification depends on standings at the end of this regular season, with division titles and wild card spots decided by win-loss records. The following breakdown shows how these 162 games distribute across months and opponent tiers.
Key Definitions
- Season Length: 162 regular season games
- Series Length: Two to six games against one opponent
- Interleague Play: Games against National League teams
- Home Games: Contests played at Yankee Stadium
- Makeup Games: Rescheduled games due to weather or other issues
Monthly Game Count and Series Overview
Monthly totals help visualize where the heaviest travel and rivalry stretches occur. While exact dates can shift with weather or league scheduling adjustments, these ranges reflect the widely distributed pattern across 2018.
| Month | Games | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| March | 0 | No regular season games; spring training only |
| April | 22–24 | Early season series, occasional day games |
| May | 30–32 | Interleague start, balanced home and road splits |
| June | 27–29 | Key divisional rivals, longer series common |
| July | 26–28 | All-Star break typically occurs late month |
| August | 27–29 | Long homestands and critical divisional games |
| September | 25–27 | Playoff positioning, potential makeup games |
Notable Series and Opponent Clusters
The Yankees 2018 schedule grouped several marquee rivalry series into concentrated stretches. These clusters intensify media coverage, fan travel, and playoff implications. Key opponent groups include AL East rivals, tough AL Central road tests, and interleague matchups against NL East teams. Below is a concise overview of high-interest patterns rather than day-by-day minutiae.
Division and Rivalry Focus
- AL East: Intensive six-game series against Boston Red Sox and multiple three- to four-game sets against Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays
- Key Interleague Sets: Balanced interleague play spread across the season, including matchups against National League East opponents
- High-Stretch Periods: Expect concentrated road tests in August and September where playoff seeding becomes clearer
Typical Game Times and Broadcast Notes
Game times for the Yankees 2018 regular season followed MLB norms with a mix of early, afternoon, and night starts. Day games were common in April and September, while prime night slots increased during peak summer months. Broadcast availability varied by region, with most games on MSG, YES Network, or national networks such as ESPN or Fox. Exact local start times and channels are best verified against the date-specific lineup published by the team closer to each series.
Scheduling Conventions
- Day Games: Often scheduled in early afternoon or late morning
- Night Games: Typically begin around 7:05 or 7:10 p.m. local time
- Doubleheaders: Rare in modern MLB, usually declared only for weather makeups
- Makeup Games: Can extend the season into early October if significant weather occurs
Regular Season and Playoff Implications
Although the 2018 regular season schedule is fixed in this explanation, its outcomes directly influence postseason positioning. Each divisional win tightens the race in the AL East, while road series in the AL Central and tough interleague stretches can shape wild card positioning. The Yankees 2018 schedule was designed to test depth across a full rotation and bullpen usage. Understanding the sequence of high-leverage games helps contextualize late-season decisions regarding pitching changes, lineup construction, and roster moves.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many games did the Yankees play in 2018?
The Yankees played 162 regular season games in 2018, the standard total for each MLB team.
When did the season start?
The 2018 regular season began in early April, with the Yankees' first game typically falling in the first week of the month. Exact dates are set by the league and subject to rare adjustments.
What happens if a game is rained out?
Makeup games are scheduled at the earliest available opportunity, sometimes extending into October if necessary for playoff implications.
How can I find whether a game was home or away?
Review any specific date in the published 2018 Yankees schedule, which labels each entry as home or road and lists opponent, time, and network details.
Were any games moved or rescheduled in 2018?
Occasional schedule adjustments occurred due to weather or special events; these are documented in official MLB updates and team announcements.