The Yankees out to prove they’re for real this weekend

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There's an argument to be made that the Yankees are the best story in baseball this year. Heading into the season, there was always a chance they could compete this year, but the general consensus was that they were at least a year or two away.

Instead, they've gotten off to a red-hot start in 2017. Heading into Friday's action, New York boasts a 17-9 record, tying them for the best team in the American League and the second-best team in all of baseball.

The scary part for the rest of the league is that this doesn't look entirely like a flash in the pan. For one thing, the Yankees have outscored their opponents by 45 runs this season, the second-best run differential in baseball and just three runs behind the Nationals. They're led by Aaron Judge, who is tearing the cover off the ball, in the lineup and a breaking-out Luis Severino in the rotation. Combine that with their typical great back of the bullpen, and the Yankees have a stew goin'.

This weekend, New York will be in its biggest spotlight it’s been in to this point in the year. As the Yankees head to Wrigley Field to take on the reigning champs, they have a chance to prove they are, indeed, for real this season.

They'll be playing in front of a national audience all weekend and will have to face off against Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester in the bookend games of the series. We can't learn much from any individual baseball series, but the Yankees have the spotlight for the weekend.

• The Twins have gotten off to a surprisingly solid start this year. What'll it look like if they stay this good all year?
• Check out this ridiculous catch by Joey Rickard.
• Judge has been incredible for the Yankees. That doesn't mean you have to compare him to Derek Jeter. Seriously, just don't.
• There was a really scary situation in San Diego last night, with a woman getting hit in the head with a foul ball.

• With Noah Syndergaard down, who could the Mets look to as a replacement in their rotation?
• It's not as big as the Syndergaard injury, but the Red Sox lost knuckleballer and 2016 All-Star Steven Wright for the season.
• The Nationals watched Bryce Harper leave Thursday's game early. Luckily, it doesn't appear to be too serious.
• Where has Buster Posey's power gone?
• Let's check in on Jose Quintana as pitchers around the league go down with injuries.
• Vin Scully made an appearance at Dodger Stadium earlier in the week, and he's enjoying his retirement.