The Yankees' bats went cold in a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on July 13, 2025. Shota Imanaga stifled the lineup as Giancarlo Stanton's homer wasn't enough.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that's not how you want to head into the All-Star break. Instead of riding a wave of momentum, the Yankees stumbled into the midsummer pause, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The bats went ice-cold, the winning streak is a memory, and now, a quiet Monday in the Bronx leaves nothing but the lingering taste of defeat as the team scatters for a few days of rest.
Just two hits. That’s all the mighty Yankees lineup could muster against the Cubs in their final game before the break: a Giancarlo Stanton solo shot and an Austin Wells single.
The story of Sunday's loss was simple: Shota Imanaga. The Cubs' ace was masterful, carving up the Yankees lineup for seven dominant innings. He allowed just those two hits while striking out six, making some of the best hitters in the league look completely overmatched. Aaron Judge, who remains parked on 350 career homers, was a prime victim, getting punched out twice by Imanaga. Even the recently scorching-hot Cody Bellinger couldn't solve his old team, going 0-for-3 and snapping his impressive 17-game hitting streak.
The only offensive bright spot came from the bat of Giancarlo Stanton, who launched his 433rd career home run in the second inning. It was a classic Stanton blast, but unfortunately, it was the only noise the Yankees would make. On the mound, Will Warren did his job, keeping the team in the game with two runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings before Ian Hamilton surrendered a two-run shot that put the game out of reach. Following the quiet offensive display, Monday was just as silent, with no trades, transactions, or major news coming out of the front office as the league-wide break began.
Maybe this break is coming at the perfect time. After a five-game winning streak, dropping the final two games of the first half serves as a stark reminder of the grind. At 53-42 and sitting second in the AL East, the Yankees are in a good position, but consistency remains the key. This four-day pause is a chance for the entire roster to rest, heal any minor bumps and bruises, and mentally prepare for the stretch run. The front office gets a moment to assess the roster ahead of the trade deadline, even if Monday was quiet on that front.
The silence of the break won't last long. On Friday, the challenge gets even tougher as the formidable Atlanta Braves come to town. The bats will need to wake up in a hurry. For now, it's a moment to breathe. But come Friday, the push for the postseason and the AL East crown begins again in earnest. Let's hope the bats come back from vacation ready to rake.
