The first-place Yankees face the Reds in June 2025 amidst a team-wide slump. With Judge, Bellinger, and Goldschmidt cold, can they find their offense?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a strange time in the Bronx... well, not the Bronx tonight, but for the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees sit comfortably atop the AL East with a stellar 45-32 record and a near-certain path to the postseason. Yet, if you've been watching the games, you've seen a different story. The bats have gone silent, the sluggers are slumping, and the team is searching for an offensive identity as they head into a new series against the Cincinnati Reds.
It’s just always shocking to see our group not score runs, right? We’ve just got to focus on the little things — think small, big things come.
The numbers don't lie, and lately, they've been ugly. Over the last six games, the Yankees as a team are batting a paltry .164. The heart of the order, the very players who carried the team for much of the season, are the primary culprits. Aaron Judge is hitting just .125 in his last seven contests, while Cody Bellinger (.152) and Paul Goldschmidt (.164) are also lost at the plate. The slump has prompted manager Aaron Boone to make some drastic lineup changes, including moving rookie Jasson Domínguez to the leadoff spot. Boone is preaching patience, telling the media, 'You want to be the guy (to) kind of get the hit, get it going. But that’s where the patience comes in and that’s where just you can’t obsess on the result.'
It's not all doom and gloom. The biggest bright spot is the return of Giancarlo Stanton, who has looked locked in since coming off the injured list, going 4-for-8 in his first two games back. His presence adds a much-needed threat. Furthermore, it's crucial to zoom out. Despite this recent cold snap, the Yankees remain an elite offensive team on the season, ranking in the top five in all of MLB in runs scored (370), home runs (109), and OPS (.784). This isn't a broken offense; it's a great offense that's temporarily stuck in the mud.
While the big league club searches for power, the farm system has it in spades. The kids are putting on a show, offering an exciting glimpse of the future. Catcher Agustin Ramirez had a monster game for Double-A Somerset, launching three home runs to reclaim the Eastern League lead. He wasn't alone. Top prospect Spencer Jones also went deep for the Patriots, while down in Single-A, Roderick Arias (MLB's No. 86 prospect) hit a homer and a three-run triple on his way to a 6-RBI night. With Ben Rice also homering in Triple-A, the pipeline is looking as strong as ever.
The road trip continues tonight in Cincinnati, which might be the perfect place for a slump-busting party. The Great American Ball Park is known for being hitter-friendly, and the Yankees will need every advantage they can get. They enter the series opener with a 45-32 record, looking to build on their series win over the Orioles and, more importantly, find their offensive rhythm. While not yet confirmed, Allan Winans is expected to get the start on the mound. All eyes will be on Boone's new-look lineup to see if it can finally generate the spark the team desperately needs.
This offensive downturn is a test of the team's resilience. The pitching has kept them afloat, and the return of Giancarlo Stanton is a huge boost. Now, as they face the Reds, the question is simple: Can the slumbering giants in the middle of the order—Judge, Bellinger, and Goldschmidt—wake up? A new series brings a clean slate, and for a team with championship aspirations, turning the page starts tonight in Cincy.
