The New York Yankees are suddenly looking like a team without answers. Once sitting comfortably atop the American League East Division, the Yankees have dropped four straight games, including a painful sweep at Fenway Park to their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
Just a week ago, they held a commanding lead. Now, that lead has shrunk with the Tampa Bay Rays only 2 1/2 games back and Boston catching fire with six straight wins.
New York Yankees Struggling During Crucial Moments
What’s not working? The problems are mounting, but the most obvious one is occurring late in games for the Yankees, particularly extra innings, when it counts most.
It’s not only fans that are annoyed. Sports commentator Evan Roberts of WFAN in New York was blunt in his criticism of the Yankees’ incapacity to perform under pressure on Monday. His frank evaluation spoke volumes.
“Don’t tell me Jazz Chisholm can’t bunt,” Roberts said on-air. “Quite frankly, you’re not good enough to be a non-bunter.”
Evan says the Yankees’ small-ball struggles are a big part of why they’ve come up short in extra-inning games.
Listen to his biggest issues with last night’s loss: https://t.co/OV8c98EMyh pic.twitter.com/JpWRNG9745
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) June 17, 2025
Roberts’ criticisms were aimed mostly toward the Yankees’ mindset right now, not so much as a personal attack on Chisholm. The Yankees aren’t making small adjustments needed to win close games, and that was at the core of Roberts’ message.
They have a terrible batting average of.077 while under pressure. New York has lost two of its last four extra-inning games. In other words, the Yankees collapse when the game becomes tight.
While bunting is important in key situations, so is solid strategy for late-game situations. The Yankees are built to hit home runs. But they aren’t clicking at the moment.
New York has only hit .152 with runners in scoring position in their last four games. Aaron Judge, who has just two hits in his previous 20 at-bats and been the team leader on offense, has gone cold, too.
As AL East Lead Shrinks, Yankees Need to Work on Fundamentals
Right now, the Yankees appear to be lifeless at times. New York also appears to be getting outplayed by opposing teams a lot as well.
With a strong 42–29 record, the Yankees are still in first place. But teams like Boston and Tampa Bay are bearing down on New York right now.
Although there isn’t any panic in the Bronx as of yet, there are some who are worried. Home runs alone will not be enough for the Yankees to get back on track. They’ll have to play smart baseball, grind out victories, and, as Roberts suggested, perhaps start bunting occasionally.