The New York Yankees are counting on Max Fried to anchor their rotation during the American League playoffs, but Fried’s recent performances have raised concerns among fans. In their latest contest, the Yankees secured a 12-8 win against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking their second consecutive victory and improving their record to 5-2 in the last seven games. However, Fried’s pitching once again failed to meet expectations, leaving many uneasy about his ability to perform under postseason pressure.

Fried lasted just over five innings, allowing seven earned runs and eight hits. Notably, Cardinals hitters Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman each hammered home runs off him, with Gorman’s two-run shot ultimately forcing Fried’s exit from the game. Despite the Yankees’ offensive firepower, Fried’s outing highlighted ongoing difficulties that jeopardize the team’s playoff hopes.

Challenges Mark Fried’s Recent Performances

The Yankees gave Fried an early advantage when Aaron Judge doubled in Trent Grisham during the first inning, securing a 1-0 lead before Fried even took the mound. Yet, Fried quickly faltered, surrendering five runs in the opening two innings alone, including Winn’s two-run home run that stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 5-2.

This game extended a troubling pattern for Fried over the last six weeks. Once viewed as a potential Cy Young Award contender and a strong candidate to start the All-Star Game in his former home city of Atlanta, Fried’s form has sharply declined. Since July 1, he has posted a 6.80 ERA and 4.60 FIP across eight starts, a stark contrast to his dominant first half.

“Haven’t had the good results. When you got to go out there and have good outings, I haven’t been able to do that,”

Fried admitted, according to the New York Post.

With key starters Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt sidelined on the injured list following Tommy John surgeries earlier this year, Fried has been expected to step up as the team’s reliable “stopper.” Yet the Yankees have struggled overall during this period, holding an 18-21 record since July 1 and maintaining just a slim 2.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians for the last American League playoff spot.

“I definitely have to change something and change it up quick,”

Fried acknowledged.

The Yankees’ offense helped mask Fried’s pitching struggles in this game. Aaron Judge hit his 39th home run of the season, Trent Grisham recorded four hits and scored four times, and <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/ben-rice/”>Ben Rice contributed seven RBIs, including a three-run homer. Their combined efforts secured the win despite Fried’s difficulties on the mound.

“I’m working hard in between to try to make the best adjustments I can. They haven’t really been showing, but we’re here to win games,”

Fried said.

“Really fortunate today that they put up 12 runs to be able to cover me. But I know going forward, I got to be way better.”

Manager and Analyst Offer Perspectives on Fried’s Struggles

FOX announcer and former pitcher Adam Wainwright suggested the humid weather may have affected Fried’s grip, potentially contributing to his uneven performance. Nevertheless, Yankees manager Aaron Boone attributed Fried’s regression to a temporary slump rather than any physical decline.

“Even the elite-level pitchers go through things like this at times,”

Boone said.

“He’ll get there. He’ll get through it. There’s nothing wrong with him. Physically he’s in a good spot, stuff’s there.”

Boone expressed confidence that Fried will regain his form before the postseason becomes critical for the Yankees.

“It’s just another level of execution,”

Boone noted.

“You’re kind of going through it a little bit, so you’re mentally fighting yourself. There’s no alarming, ‘Oh his stuff’s down,’ or, ‘What’s wrong with this?’ He’s too good to not get through it.”

Yankees’ Playoff Outlook Hinges on Fried’s Recovery

The Yankees’ narrow margin for error in the playoff race makes Fried’s performance particularly important. With Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt unavailable, much of the pitching burden falls on Fried’s shoulders. While the offense has remained productive, relying solely on run support is not a sustainable strategy during the postseason’s tougher competition.

Fried’s recent form indicates he must adjust quickly to help the Yankees secure their playoff position and compete beyond the regular season. Given Boone’s assurance and Fried’s own determination to correct his approach, fans hope these struggles represent a brief setback rather than a prolonged decline.

As the playoff race tightens, Max Fried’s ability to rediscover his early-season dominance will likely influence the Yankees’ postseason prospects, making his next starts crucial for the team’s championship ambitions.