The New York Yankees are struggling with a significant slump, having won only four of their last 13 games, largely due to underperformance by their batting lineup, including star Aaron Judge. The ongoing Aaron Judge Yankees hitting slump is linked to the team‘s failure to incorporate small-ball tactics alongside their usual reliance on home runs.
Michael Kay Highlights Yankees’ Lack of Small-Ball Strategy
Yankees announcer Michael Kay criticized the team’s overly aggressive approach at the plate during his appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. He emphasized that the Yankees fail to execute “little ball,” which involves advancing runners strategically rather than constantly swinging for home runs.
“I think what it comes down to—when you watch the game last night—is they don’t know how to play little ball,” Kay said (2:59 onwards).
“They just completely always try to hit home runs. So that runner remains at second, and you have a lot of empty calories, I call them. They don’t move that runner to third, and you never get that runner in. That’s why they lose road games.”
Kay pointed out that the Yankees’ inability to bring runners home from scoring positions has severely contributed to their poor performance, reflected in a 13-27 overall record, which ranks among the worst in Major League Baseball this season.
Concerns Over Yankees’ Starting Pitchers and Bullpen Usage
In addition to offensive struggles, Kay expressed frustration about the Yankees’ pitching staff, particularly how starters are managed. He acknowledged satisfaction with the starters themselves but argued that they are often unable to pitch deep into games, typically lasting only five innings. This puts excessive pressure on the bullpen, forcing multiple relievers to cover lengthy innings regularly.
“The Yankees have lost a lot of games when leading after seven innings. They have five losses when leading by multiple runs in the seventh. That’s from Katie Sharp. That’s not good. And I think that comes from the fact that the starters don’t give them length.”
Kay also noted that this is a wider issue affecting many MLB teams, as starters are not conditioned or expected to pitch deep into contests as they once were, increasing bullpen strain league-wide.
Slump’s Broader Impact and What Lies Ahead
The Yankees’ current struggles, led by Aaron Judge’s offensive slowdown, signal deeper problems in both their hitting philosophy and pitching endurance. Kay’s analysis suggests that unless the Yankees adapt by incorporating more small-ball tactics and develop longer outings from starters, their difficulties are likely to persist. This ongoing slump could continue to undermine the team’s playoff hopes unless adjustments are made promptly.