The New York Yankees offense, as a whole, has been fantastic in 2022.
The numbers don’t lie: they are second in runs scored with 596: only the Los Angeles Dodgers have more.
However, when the unit goes on a cold streak, it’s usually legendary.
The Yankees have lost eight of their last 10 games: after their scintillating start, they have been playing poorly since July, and not even their trade deadline acquisitions have been able to change the equation.
Despite their excellent offense, the Yankees have had some really pathetic showings with the bat this season.
“Yankees have 6 games with 2 hits or fewer, tied with the Tigers and A’s for the most in MLB this season,” MLB statistician Katie Sharp tweeted, answering to the inquiry from a fan.
Yankees have 6 games with 2 hits or fewer, tied with the Tigers and A’s for the most in MLB this season.
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) August 15, 2022
It’s clear that some pitchers have had the outing of their lives against the Bombers on more than one occasion this year.
The Yankees Don’t Always Optimize Their Lineup
And it’s also evident that the Yanks’ lineup has a few flaws.
For example, it’s baffling that the Yankees still field shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa almost every day, when he is batting .269/.315/.323 with just one home run.
They have two excellent shortstop prospects starring in Triple-A: Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera.
Both have been red-hot recently, yet the team refuses to bench IKF.
Between the recently traded Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks (and the injured Giancarlo Stanton), the Yanks haven’t always gotten good production from starting outfielders not named Aaron Judge.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson (.224/.306/.389) is struggling, too.
The Yankees offense remains a top unit, but they do need to address some positions to optimize the lineup and avoid shutouts in the future.