Yankees Batting Lineup Struggles
Identifying the issues with the Yankees’ batting lineup begins with the notable absence of Aaron Judge and the ongoing injury of Giancarlo Stanton. The catcher’s dismal batting average of .176 and an OPS of .521 are significant contributors to the team’s struggles. Additionally, Paul Goldschmidt’s recent performance, going 0-for-34, highlights the challenges faced.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. acknowledged, albeit briefly, that he has performed poorly throughout the season, mentioning a lack of challenges from the left side of the infield.
Meanwhile, Cody Bellinger’s performance has also been underwhelming for the past couple of months. Once seen as a potential key player in a lineup missing some heavy-hitter presence, Bellinger has unfortunately maintained a downward trend offensively.
Back on May 7, he had a solid batting average of .299 with a .924 OPS and five home runs in his first 37 games. Combined with strong defense, it seemed he could have been in the running for MVP honors, especially alongside Judge and Ben Rice.
However, since that peak, Bellinger’s OPS has dropped to a career-low .662, the same level as Anthony Volpe’s. In 61 games—the Yankees’ record is now 30-31—he’s only managed to hit .229 with six home runs. While his expected stats during this period show better potential, the results have not followed suit.
Bellinger recently spoke about his slump during the All-Star Game, where he earned MVP accolades for his two-run homer. He emphasized the need to remain positive in such challenging times. “You have to stick to your plan,” he said. “This game is difficult.”
Strikeouts have become a significant concern, impacting both Bellinger and the Yankees more than they are used to. Despite his skills, he has struck out 20 times over his last 17 games, managing only three walks in 70 at-bats. His strikeout rate during this stretch is a striking 28.6 percent, a stark contrast to last season’s 13.7 percent.
Manager Aaron Boone remarked on Bellinger’s struggles, noting that he’s likely swinging and missing more than usual. “He’s hitting balls well but just not getting the results we want,” he said.
Yet there are glimmers of hope for Bellinger, especially considering he’s set to sign a hefty $162.5 million contract. He’s managed to get on base four times over the last two games, and even an out in a recent game was a strong hit—a solid grounder aimed directly at the shortstop.
If Bellinger can rise from this slump and perform well alongside a revitalized Chisholm, the Yankees might find it easier to cope with Judge’s absence.
Boone commented on Bellinger’s performance, stating, “He’s fouling some pitches, but I feel like he’s getting balls he can hit. The difference between success and struggle can be very slim, but I believe he’ll figure it out.”
For fans who had tickets to Tuesday’s game, those will be valid for the rescheduled Wednesday game, set to start at 7:05 p.m., following the regular day game at 1:05 p.m.
