Yankees lost 4-0 to Guardians June 4. Max Fried (7-1, 1.92 ERA) starts June 5 for NYY, aiming to bounce back. Aaron Judge leads Yanks offense. Recap & Preview.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Tough one last night, Yankee fans. Getting shut out 4-0 by the Cleveland Guardians at home is never easy to swallow, especially after the roll this team has been on. But today is a new day, and the Bombers have a chance to immediately wash that bitter taste away as ace Max Fried takes the mound for the series finale at Yankee Stadium.
Despite the Yankees' shutout loss to the Guardians, Aaron Judge continues his impressive 2025 campaign. Judge leads the team with a .387 batting average, 21 home runs, and 50 RBIs.
Yesterday's 4-0 defeat was a frustrating watch. The Guardians jumped on the Yankees early, with Angel Martínez launching a two-run homer in the first inning, scoring Steven Kwan. Before we could even settle in, Braden Schneemann doubled to bring José Ramírez home, making it 3-0. Cleveland's Luis Ortiz was effective on the mound, keeping the Yankee bats quiet, and Kyle Manzardo added an insurance solo shot in the 8th to seal the deal. It was just one of those nights where nothing clicked offensively.
The good news? Max Fried (7-1, 1.92 ERA) is on the bump today, and he's been nothing short of spectacular this season. Leading the team with that sub-2.00 ERA, Fried has been the consistent stopper the Yankees have needed. He'll be looking to extend his stellar record and get the team back in the win column. He faces Cleveland's Sven Cecconi (1-1, 5.28 ERA), a matchup that, on paper, heavily favors the pinstripes. After being held scoreless, the offense will be eager to provide Fried with some run support.
Even amidst yesterday's offensive struggles, Captain Aaron Judge continues to be a beacon of consistency. He's putting up MVP-caliber numbers, leading the team with a blistering .387 batting average, 21 homers, and 50 RBIs. Judge's presence in the lineup is always a threat, and the team will undoubtedly look to him to ignite the offense and spark a much-needed rally against the Guardians today.
While losing a game, especially a shutout, is never fun, let's keep things in perspective. The Yankees still sit comfortably atop the AL East with a solid 37-23 record. According to Baseball-Reference, the team's playoff chances are looking incredibly strong at 99.4%, with a 16.6% shot at the World Series title. Manager Aaron Boone has guided this squad effectively, and one loss doesn't derail what has been an impressive season so far.
Today's game is crucial. With Max Fried on the mound, the Yankees have a prime opportunity to bounce back, take the series finale against the Guardians, and remind everyone why they're leading the AL East. Let's hope the bats wake up and Fried delivers another gem. Go Yanks!
