Playoff baseball is back in The Bronx for the first time in three years. And for the third time since 2017, the Yankees will attempt to again take down Cleveland, beginning when Gerritt Cole (13-8, 3.50 ERA) faces Cal Quantrill (15-5, 3.38) in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Victory isn’t a given, but it is expected after earning a bye and receiving a matchup against the least powerful offense in the postseason. A lot is expected, even after the Yankees finished .500 in the second half of the season, even with the demons of a potential third ALCS encounter against the top-seeded Astros looming. A lot is always expected.

It is embedded in the DNA of a franchise forever flaunting its unmatched achievements, creating a title-or-bust mentality that rarely adapts to circumstance. This year’s group seemed certain to become remembered forever after going 61-23 to start the season. The aura of a historic season was only enhanced by Aaron Judge’s pursuit of the A.L. single-season home run record — Babe Ruth and Roger Maris each won the World Series on all-time juggernauts during their respective record-setting seasons.

The Yankees’ second-half slowdown — accelerated by injuries, an offense that became too dependent on Judge, an ace who rarely looked the part and a bullpen that inspired little belief — doesn’t change the inherent belief that the team’s 13-year title drought should soon end.