As one of the most storied franchises in the history of Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees are always expected to compete at the highest level. However, this year has been a different story.
The Yankees currently find themselves struggling to keep pace in the American League East, trailing both the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays in the standings. While there are a variety of factors that have contributed to their recent struggles, here are three possible reasons why the Yankees are falling short this year:
Injuries and Pitching Struggles: The Top Reasons for the Yankees’ Recent Struggles
It’s no secret that injuries have played a major role in the Yankees’ struggles this season. Throughout the year, the team has been forced to deal with a litany of injuries, particularly to their pitching staff. Ace starting pitcher Luis Severino has yet to pitch this season due to a rotator cuff injury, while fellow starter James Paxton has been limited to just five starts due to a variety of health issues.
In addition to their starting rotation, the Yankees have also suffered injuries to their bullpen. Closer Aroldis Chapman missed time earlier in the season with a knee injury, while key setup man Dellin Betances has yet to pitch this year due to shoulder and lat issues.
All of these injuries have put a serious strain on the Yankees’ pitching staff, forcing Manager Aaron Boone to rely on inexperienced or underperforming players to fill the void. As a result, the team’s pitching has been inconsistent at best, with a team ERA of 4.08 as of August 10th, which ranks in the middle of the pack in the American League.
Hitting Woes: Is the Yankees’ Offense to Blame for Their Recent Slump?
While the Yankees’ pitching struggles have been well-documented, their offense has also been frustratingly inconsistent this year. Despite a lineup that features some of the game’s biggest stars, such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and D.J. LeMahieu, the Yankees have struggled to score runs on a consistent basis. As of August 10th, the team’s runs per game average of 5.45 ranked just 7th in the American League.
Part of the issue has been injuries, as both Judge and Stanton have missed significant time this season. However, even when healthy, the team has struggled to generate consistent offense. Injuries to key role players such as Luke Voit and Aaron Hicks have also put additional pressure on the team’s top hitters.
Another possible factor in the Yankees’ offensive struggles is their overreliance on the home run. While the team leads the American League in home runs with 198, they rank just 9th in the league in batting average and 10th in on-base percentage. This is a departure from the Yankees’ offensive approach in recent years, which emphasized contact hitting and situational hitting over raw power.
Leadership and Coaching: Could the Yankees Benefit from a New Approach at the Top?
Despite having one of the most talented rosters in baseball, the Yankees have struggled to find consistency this season. While injuries and hitting slumps have played a major role in the team’s struggles, some have suggested that leadership and coaching may also be a factor.
Manager Aaron Boone has come under fire at times this season for his lineup decisions and bullpen management. While he led the team to a 100-win season and a playoff berth in his first year as Manager in 2018, some have questioned whether he has the experience and leadership skills necessary to guide the Yankees through a potentially deep playoff run.
Another possible factor in the Yankees’ struggles could be the coaching staff. While the team’s hitting coach, Marcus Thames, has received praise for his work with individual players, some have suggested that he hasn’t done enough to address the team’s broader offensive struggles. Similarly, some have questioned the effectiveness of pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who has overseen a pitching staff that has seen a decline in performance in recent years.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to pinpoint any one factor as the main reason for the Yankees’ struggles this season. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued the team throughout the year, and a lack of leadership and coaching may also be a contributing factor. However, with nearly two months left in the season, there is still time for the Yankees to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.
What do you think is the main reason for the Yankees’ struggles this season? Let us know in the comments below!
