Why the Yankees Biggest Competition Is Themselves
For the last few seasons, June and July have been hard months for the New York Yankees. In 2023, June brought on an 11-12 record, and June 2024 brought on a 14-13 record. This season, the June slump hit the Yankees harder than ever, with the team currently sporting a 10-10 record. Even when facing struggling teams like the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels, the Yankees found themselves unable to score runs, and the pitching has been inconsistent.
Entering June, the Yankees were 36-22 and had a 5.5-game division lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. As of today, they only lead the Tampa Bay Rays by two games. While their series win against the Baltimore Orioles this weekend was a step in the right direction, the Yankees are still struggling against the AL East, with a record of 10-12. This was their first series win against the AL East since April and only their third of the entire season.
The biggest issue with the Yankees' slump is their inconsistent approach. They typically bring their A-games against some of the better teams in the league. They fully swept the Kansas City Royals this season, less than a year removed from facing them in the ALDS, and they played the Cleveland Guardians well in both of their series. The team has not only struggled to beat the teams they should beat this month, but also had a stretch where they could not even score a run. While the lineup has improved this week, they have to prove they can sustain this approach.
The Yankees have proven this season that when they click and are consistent, they have the ability to beat any team in the league. While the AL East race is currently close, the Yankees aren’t exactly competing directly with any of their division rivals. The battle is fully reliant on themselves, and if they get in the way of their own success. If June is any indication of how the rest of the season goes, the Yankees have a long way to go before they can solidify themselves as the best team in the American League.
