Well, it seems like the wheels have fallen off the wagon and the Yankees have fallen back down to Earth. They’re coming off 3 straight series losses (@ BOS, vs. BAL, vs. ATL). It’s their worst stretch of the year, by far. Since winning their first game of the year vs. the Red Sox in dominate 8-1 fashion, the Yankees are 2-6 and have dropped back-to-back series at home against two teams that they could see come October – the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves.
June 14-16 @ Boston Red Sox
Looking at the last two games of the Red Sox series, the aspect of the Yankees team that has kept them in first in the AL East all year, their pitching, was what unraveled for them. It was their pitching that allowed the Red Sox to win the final two games and take the series.
The Yankees’ starters in those final two games, Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman, each went for 5 IP. Rodon gave up 5 ER (all within the first 2 innings) while Stroman gave up 4 ER. This left the Yankees behind the 8ball early in both games. And with the bullpen giving up a combined 7 ERs in both games, the deficit was too much for the offense to overcome.
June 18-20 vs. Baltimore Orioles
After being dog-walked out of Boston, the Yankees returned to the Bronx for a highly-anticipated matchup against a team many consider to be their biggest hurdle in getting back to the Fall Classic – the Baltimore Orioles. The first game of the series saw the Yankees win a 4-2 matchup that was overshadowed by Aaron Judge getting hit in the hand in the bottom of the 3rd. Fortunately, his X-Rays and CT scans came back negative. But that did not stop many Yankee fans from wanting their Game 2 starter to send the Orioles a message by hitting one of their own (presumably SS Gunnar Henderson).
However, with Gerrit Cole making his much anticipated first start of the 2024 season, the antics that many wanted to see happen did not. Cole showed a lot of promise in his return to the mound with a commendable outing (4 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER). Despite this, the Yankees lost the game in extras, 7-6. Finally came the rubber match that saw Yankee rookie phenom Luis Gil take the mound and look to continue his dominance.
Keeping it short, Gil was not dominant. He lasted 1.1 innings and gave up 7 ER. Not the start Yankee fans wanted, or expected. The rubber match was never close and the Orioles embarrassed the Yankees in the Bronx, winning that game 17-5 and the series 2-1. This was the Orioles’ second series win of the year in as many chances over the Yankees.
The Yankees can beat everyone else but if they cannot beat the Orioles, a team they’ve dominated in recent years, then no one will take them as a serious threat in October.
June 21-23 vs. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves then came to town for a 3-game set over the weekend. Friday night’s game was non-competitive and Carlos Rodon turned in his second straight bad start of the year, lasting only 3 2/3 innings, giving up 11 hits and 7 ER as the Braves built a lead they did not relinquish.
Saturday’s game saw the Yankees play the type of game and dominate in ways we saw the first few months of the year. An Aaron Judge first-inning visit to the short porch gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead and they never looked back, taking Game 2 of the series 8-3 behind 6 2/3 innings from Marcus Stroman and great relief work from Michael Tonkin, Luke Weaver and Phil Bickford.
Game 3 did not see much offense from either team as Braves ace Max Fried and Yankee lefty Nestor Cortes both turned in great starts, each going at least 6 IP and giving up 3 or less runs. The Braves 3 runs they got off Cortes would prove to be all they need as they would win the rubber match in the Bronx, 3-1.
Yankees Injury Report
The Yankees current cold streak wouldn’t be complete without some injuries. Giancarlo Stanton (Left Hamstring Strain: 10-Day IL), Ian Hamilton (Right Lat Strain: 15-day IL), Cody Poteet (Right Triceps Strain: 15-day IL), and Anthony Rizzo (Right Forearm Fracture: 60-Day IL), are just some of the big names and contributors that have landed on the IL in recent weeks. Not to mention coveted Yankee prospect Jasson Dominguez, who’s still recovering from Tommy John surgery, landed on the 10-Day minor league IL with a left oblique strain.
What’s Next for the Bombers?
The Yankees, losers of 3 straight series and bombarded with injuries, will now turn toward their biggest test so far – the Grimace-led Mets. The Subway Series, regardless of either team’s record or division standing, is an important series for both New York teams as they battle for the heart and soul of New York City.
The Grimace-led Mets have turned things around just in time for their big brother to come to town (or in this case, across town). The Yankees will be throwing two of their bust hurlers (Gerrit Cole & Luis Gil) at the Mets offense and hope to right the ship before heading to Toronto for a 4-game set in “Vladdy’s House” against an underwhelming Blue Jays squad.
