We are just about two months from the post-season and the Yankees are experiencing a meltdown like no other. Yes, it is a long season. And for many, the Yankees had this season wrapped up before the All-Star Break. But as the season plowed on through July and now mid-August, there is a very different team on the field. It doesn't matter that Aaron Judge is on par for 62+ home runs or that Jose Trevino is having the season of his life. The Yankees are facing a big meltdown starring Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMathieu, and anchored by Giancarlo Stanton.
Although the meltdown officially began almost 10-days ago, the pressure mounted at the Stadium Monday night when the home plate umpire ruled that despite being hit by a pitch, the Yankee first baseman Anthony Rizzo did not make an attempt to get out of the way, enabling the at-bat to continue and Rizzo striking out two pitches later. Rizzo overwhelmed by it all, threw a tantrum in the dugout, slamming his helmet repeatedly in frustration.
“Whenever you feel like you got screwed over on a call, at any time it’s annoying,” Rizzo said. “We’re out here competing at the highest level. I’m up here talking to [the media]. I feel like umpires have zero accountability when they miss something like that,” reported the New York Post. Rizzo displayed the emotions of likely the entire team and every fan who has had to witness the complete demise of this seemingly championship team.
The Yankees have dropped five straight series against the Mariners (home and away), Cardinals, Boston, and now Tampa. And the next challenge facing them is the loss of DJ LeMahieu who is day to day with an inflammation of his big right toe. "Manager Aaron Boone said that he was “hopeful for” LeMahieu to play Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series against the Rays. Boone later said a decision regarding whether or not to put LeMahieu on the 10-day IL could come in the next day or two. With LeMahieu unavailable, the Yankees have been playing with a shorthanded, three-man bench," reported the Post.
Then there is the Stanton situation. There always seems to be a Stanton situation and this year, the timing is just on par with the last few years. After picking up the All-Star game MVP award, the Yankees placed Stanton on the IL for Achilles tendonitis on July 23rd. "Stanton’s injury was initially thought to be minor, but even if he starts a rehab assignment this week — he said he was hoping for the fewest rehab games possible — it will have almost certainly sidelined him for at least a month. And it may be something he has to monitor for the rest of the season," reported the Post.
Can this team turn things around? They are running out of time, but anything is possible. Injuries have plagued this team over the last several years and 2022 appears to be no different. The big meltdown is in full swing and as August continues to charge on, the Yankees need to figure out how to overcome the challenges they are facing. The Yankees need to figure out how to win again.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
I will repeat previous comments, the unofficial captain Judge,is getting to much attention with home run chase,the bottom line is this is a team game,Rings are what defines great Yankees
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