Yankees face a crucial test during their prolonged summer slump
Yankees Struggle Continues: Historic Sweep by Marlins Amplifies Mid-Season Woes
The New York Yankees, once a formidable force in Major League Baseball, have hit a significant roadblock in their season. After a strong start to the year, the team has experienced a two-month slump, resulting in a 19-28 record over 48 games, bringing their current record to 61-54 as of early August 2025.
This slump has dropped the Yankees to third place in the AL East, 6.5 games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays and 2.5 games behind the second-placed Boston Red Sox [2][5]. The team's recent struggles were further highlighted by their first ever sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins, a series that took place over three days.
The Yankees' bullpen, consisting of David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird, allowed nine runs in a 13-12 loss on Friday. Jazz Chilsholm's base-running mistake was a highlight in a 2-0 defeat for the Yankees on Saturday, completing the historic sweep [1][4].
Cody Bellinger, the center fielder, expressed frustration with the team's performance, stating they have "really high expectations" that are not being met. The Yankees' upcoming opponent is the Texas Rangers.
Aaron Judge, the superstar slugger, is expected to return from the IL on Tuesday as a designated hitter, having been out due to a flexor strain in his elbow. Despite being in third place in the AL East, the Yankees still hold the No. 2 Wild Card spot in the American League.
However, the Yankees have lost more games than only the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals in the last 45 games. The team's poor performance has created a significant amount of negative goodwill, following a strong trade deadline [3].
The Yankees are playing in a mediocre American League, providing them with some convenience. But with the playoffs on the horizon, the team will need to turn their fortunes around quickly to secure a spot.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Marlins sweep Yankees for first time in franchise history. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36375419/marlins-sweep-yankees-first-time-franchise-history
[2] FanGraphs. (2025). New York Yankees. https://www.fangraphs.com/teams/new-york-yankees
[3] Kernan, P. (2025, August 1). Yankees' recent slump is a gut check time, Boone says. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/08/01/yankees-recent-slump-is-a-gut-check-time-boone-says/
[4] MLB.com. (2025). New York Yankees. https://www.mlb.com/yankees
[5] MLB Standings. (2025). American League East. https://www.mlb.com/standings/al-east
The Yankees' struggles in Major League Baseball were further accentuated by their historic sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins, a series that took place over three days, as they continue their mid-season woes. Despite being expected to return from the IL on Tuesday, Aaron Judge's return as a designated hitter may not be enough to turn the team's fortunes around, especially with the poor performance they've shown compared to other teams in the American League.
