The mood was upbeat after the Yankees‘ 6-1 win in the first game of their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays following the All-Star break. However, they have now lost their last two games, including a 6-4 defeat on Sunday afternoon.

Yankees Struggling

The Yankees are sliding further down the American League East standings, and if this trend continues, the Rays could catch up by season’s end. Despite this, manager Aaron Boone continues to make optimistic remarks, stating that the team is having good at-bats but failing to convert.

Boone has a point. The Yankees left nine runners on base during the loss, managing just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

A Glimmer of Hope

Aaron Judge provided a spark with a three-run homer in the 7th inning to bring the Yankees closer, but a solo shot in the 9th inning sealed their fate. The Yankees can’t keep relying on dramatic moments.

Despite collecting nine hits and six walks, the Yankees’ starting pitching remains inconsistent, and the bullpen has been unreliable. Marcus Stroman pitched 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs from two homers while striking out five. He kept the Yankees in the game, but Jake Cousins and Luke Weaver allowed additional runs, sealing the loss.

Ongoing Issues

The Yankees struggle to deliver a complete game with both solid pitching and effective offense. General manager Brian Cashman faces a critical task at the trade deadline, needing to strengthen the batting order and bolster the bullpen.

Ideally, the Yankees would acquire a lead-off hitter, a starting pitcher, and at least two bullpen arms. While challenging, the team has reinforcements on the way, so acquiring a quality infielder to boost production alongside Soto and Aaron Judge should be a priority.

Weak Links

The lower half of the lineup has been problematic, with Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo failing to get on base during Sunday’s game. Torres even mishandled a ball leading to a base hit, showcasing his struggles as a defender.

The team is in turmoil, but benching DJ LeMahieu was a positive move, as Oswaldo Cabrera contributed with a run and two hits. The Yankees need to address their issues quickly to avoid falling into a deeper hole.