The New York Yankees had a disappointing week as they suffered a series loss to the Baltimore Orioles, dropping them to second place in the American League East. The Yankees struggled to score runs, managing just six in the four-game series. Yankees All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres acknowledged that they were figuratively punched in the face by the Orioles and emphasized the need to figure out a way to beat them in future series.
The Orioles, who surprised many by winning the AL East in 2023, once again proved their competitiveness by dominating the Yankees in the recent series. Their pitching staff was outstanding, with a combined ERA of just 1.93 for their starters and 0.71 for the bullpen. The Orioles were able to shut down the potent Yankees offense, holding superstar outfielder Aaron Judge to just one hit in 13 at-bats with no extra-base hits. Judge, who has been struggling at the plate this season, remains optimistic that he will turn things around and is focused on getting going as they head into the new month of May.
Despite the series loss, the Yankees are still in good shape as they head into May. However, their 6-7 record against AL East opponents highlights the importance of performing well within their division if they want to make the playoffs and potentially go deep into the postseason. The Yankees will have to focus on taking care of business in the division if they want to have a successful season. Their next series against the Orioles is not until June 18-20 at Yankee Stadium, giving them time to regroup and hopefully come back stronger.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Judge and his ability to bounce back from his slow start to the season. Judge, who is slashing just .197/.331/.393 with six home runs and 40 strikeouts in 33 games, remains positive and determined to improve his performance. Despite the tough stretch, Judge has experienced similar struggles in the past and knows that it is part of the game. Boone indicated that he plans to keep Judge in the No. 3 spot in the lineup for now, showing faith in his abilities to turn things around.
The Yankees will need to regroup and make adjustments as they aim to improve their record against division rivals and regain their position at the top of the AL East standings. The series loss to the Orioles served as a wake-up call for the Yankees, reminding them of the competitiveness and challenges within their division. As they move forward into the new month, the Yankees will look to build on their strengths, address their weaknesses, and come back stronger in pursuit of their goals for the season.
