Seven weeks remain in MLB‘s regular season, and the postseason picture is taking shape before our eyes. After holding onto a division lead for most of the season, the New York Yankees sit at risk of falling out of the postseason entirely as their losing stretch has reached a new low.
Going into August, the Yankees were 60-49 and riding a three-game win streak. Since then, the Yankees are 2-7 and sit just six games above .500 as the Cleveland Guardians slowly close in on the third wild-card spot in the American League.
The team was without Aaron Judge for about two weeks as the slugger battled a flexor strain in his throwing arm. He’s since returned to the lineup as a designated hitter, though he hasn’t appeared in the outfield because of the injury.
Even with Judge putting together another historic campaign, the Yankees find themselves at risk of missing the postseason. Following the team’s crushing loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday, Judge addressed the team, their losing stretch, and their confidence.
“We’re not doing our job, we’re not doing the little things that put ourselves in a position to win baseball games. It’s going to take all of us. … I wouldn’t say the confidence has really changed,” Judge said in a recent postgame interview, per SNY.
Judge can’t do much more than he already has for the Yankees. He ranks at the top of baseball in practically every offensive category. The slugger is likely going to win another AL MVP if he can get hot again and finish the season healthy.
But, as Judge says, it takes all of them. Unfortunately for the Bronx Bombers, too many guys are letting the team down. The Yankees are going to need their starting pitching staff to get hot down the stretch. They have the arms in the bullpen to succeed if they’re used correctly. The lineup has a lot of pop, but they tend to struggle to string hits together.
The next two weeks could determine the Yankees’ entire season. Buckle up.
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