Despite a disheartening drop in the standings, the New York Yankees are still trailing the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. The Orioles have had their own issues, dropping three consecutive games and four of their previous six, giving the Yankees a chance to reduce the deficit.
Aaron Judge’s slump affects the Yankees’ performance.
The Yankees have dropped three of their last seven games, failing to score victories in close games. Aaron Judge’s difficulties at the bat over the first two weeks of July contributed significantly to these losses. Following a strong showing in June with a.409 batting average and.514 on-base percentage, Judge has cooled drastically in July, hitting only.200/.282/.286 with one home run and one RBI.
Crucial Series Ahead Against the Orioles
The Yankees will play three games against the Orioles, beginning Friday night with Gerrit Cole on the mound. This series is significant because it may either exacerbate the Yankees’ AL East disadvantage or provide a much-needed boost. The Orioles are coming off a tough series, having been swept by the Chicago Cubs and outscored 21-2 in that series, which included a 19-run loss to the Oakland Athletics in the prior game.
Urgent Need for Clutch Hitting.
The Yankees’ offence is under criticism, not only because of Judge’s slump, but also due to a lack of output from other seasoned players and the bottom half of the order. For example, in their most recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays, despite great starts from Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto, the squad was unable to capitalize, falling behind 2-0 following Randy Arozarena’s home run.
Pitching Not to Blame.
Despite the offense’s struggles, the Yankees’ pitching has been surprisingly consistent over the last week. The main concern has been a lack of run support, which has prevented the club from winning close games. The upcoming series against the Orioles provides a critical opportunity for the Yankees to improve their standing before the All-Star break, underlining the importance of more productive hitting and clutch performances.
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