After a tough loss on Friday, Aaron Boone found himself stepping back from the Yankees for a couple of days in Miami.
The team seemed deflated on Saturday, suffering a shutout, and by Sunday’s game, they completed a disappointing three-game sweep at the hands of the Marlins.
“It’s frustrating, definitely. But we have to move past it. I mean, wallowing in it isn’t going to help,” Boone commented on Tuesday.
He’s faced criticism for being too lenient with his players, but on Tuesday, he pushed them to rise above the challenges.
The Yankees (60-53) found themselves just a game and a half out of a playoff spot. If Texas gets swept, there’s still a chance, especially if Seattle takes one of their upcoming games.
Boone acknowledged that the losses had a lingering impact on the team. He noted, “You have to get over it. Don’t dwell on the past,” during an exchange online.
It was evident that the Yankees struggled against pitchers Eury Perez and Edward Cabrera, struggling as a team overall. Their offense seemed, well, lifeless at times.
Things didn’t get any better with Jazz Chisholm’s unfortunate slip while running the bases on a pop-up during Saturday’s game.
Monday’s game showed some signs of hope though. The Yankees jumped to an early 3-0 lead, showcasing a stronger start.
But Jake Bird’s second outing was a disaster, giving up three homers, leading to his demotion.
“It was rough, but we have to handle it. Nobody’s feeling sorry for themselves here,” Boone stated.
Time is crucial for the team. They’ve dug themselves into holes, but there’s still a path ahead, albeit a challenging one.
Boone expressed confidence that this team could be performing better than in past seasons, highlighting a disconnect between their potential and their actual record.
The Yankees now find themselves just over seven games above .500, but it feels like there’s more to achieve. “It’s a struggle for me because I truly believe we could be a standout team, yet here we are, not living up to that,” he added, reflecting on the challenges they face.
