The New York Yankees currently hold the best record in MLB. So far this season they have performed at an elite level, and have proven to be a tier above the rest of the American League. Well, most of the American League. During the 2022 season, the Yankees are 2–5 against the Houston Astros. Their recent doubleheader loss caps off a ten-game stretch from the bombers in which they went 3–7. Even after the loss of star shortstop Carlos Correa, the Astros remain a powerhouse in the AL, and look to return to the World Series for the fourth time in six years. The Yanks have been abysmal against the Astros’ pitching staff bolstering a 151. batting average this season. However, the Yanks pitching staff has found a little more success.
Nervous Fan Base
Each loss against the Astros has been under three runs, and hasn’t allowed more than seven runs as an entire staff. Both teams have been able to lean on their pitching, yet the Astros have been able to get only a slight edge with the bats. A feeling of nervousness has begun to spread across the Yankees fan base, and understandably so. The Yankees have a nightmarish postseason history with the Astros, and the struggles against them this year only increase the need for trade deadline acquisitions. July has been a rough month for the bombers, they’ll need to regroup quickly in preparation for a postseason run.
Yankees Pitching Needs
Domingo German was DFA’d after Thursday’s game, and Joey Gallo remains a black hole in the Yankees’ lineup. The Yanks have needed another starting pitching and outfield bat, but the recent struggles have increased those needs. Luis Castillo just got done carving up the Yankees, he will be option number one for the front office. Adding a sixth arm in the rotation would be beneficial. This will be a career-high in innings for Nestor Cortes, and the most innings for Taillon since coming off of Tommy John surgery. The Houston lineup remains a daunting task for any team in MLB. The Yanks must be prepared for the likes of Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve for the inevitable ALCS matchup.
Yankees Hitting Needs
Andrew Benintendi is a lefty outfield bat the Yanks are interested in, according to reports. There were initial concerns about his vaccination status, however, it looks like it won’t be an issue for the Yanks. Juan Soto’s name is currently the talk of the town and a potential target for the Bombers. But with the size of the trade package he demands, it seems like a long shot. There’s always the option of bringing up an outfielder that’s already in the organization. Promoting players like Tim Locastro, Miguel Andujar, or even putting Matt Carpenter in the outfield full time remain options to consider. The Yanks’ front office looks to improve their outfield by any means. Joey Gallo is having a historically bad season, him being on the postseason roster is simply not an option. The Astros’ pitching staff is elite. and has stifled the Bronx Bombers so far this season. Any kind of extra help they can get will go a long way.
Next Series: Baltimore Orioles
A series against the surprising Baltimore Orioles is next on the schedule for New York. This series has almost turned into a must-win with the Yanks’ recent performances. The Yankees need to get back on track, but the scrappy Orioles won’t make it easy. The Orioles are currently over .500, and are in real contention for a potential wild card birth. The Yanks have rebounded from adversity so far this season, how they react to this recent stretch will reveal how realistic of a possibility a World Series run is.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Carlos Correa, Domingo German, Joey Gallo, Luis Castillo, Nestor Cortes, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Andrew Benintendi, Juan Soto, Tim Locastro, Miguel Andujar, Matt Carpenter
