On June 22, 2025, the Yankees face an offensive crisis as Aaron Judge & Paul Goldschmidt slump. Can Giancarlo Stanton's return save them vs. the Orioles?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's a strange feeling in the Bronx right now. The Yankees entered Sunday's matinee against the Orioles with a strong 44-32 record, but you wouldn't know it from the groans in the stands. The team's biggest stars are in a deep freeze, with MVP candidate Aaron Judge hearing boos after recent strikeouts, creating a bizarre tension as the team fights to keep pace in the AL East.
After starting the week leading the American League in all three Triple Crown categories, Aaron Judge has batted just .125 over his last seven games.
It's a tough look when the face of your franchise gets booed at home, but that's the reality for Aaron Judge. After a torrid start that had him leading the AL Triple Crown race, the Captain is hitting a paltry .125 in his last seven games. He's not alone in his struggles. Fellow sluggers Cody Bellinger (.152 in his last 8) and Paul Goldschmidt (.164 in his last 17) are also lost at the plate. Manager Aaron Boone is trying everything, including shaking up the lineup by moving rookie Jasson Domínguez to leadoff and dropping Goldy to sixth, but the heart of the order remains alarmingly quiet.
Amidst the offensive gloom, a massive bright spot has emerged: the return of Giancarlo Stanton. After being sidelined with elbow injuries, Stanton has wasted no time making an impact, going 4-for-8 in his first two games back. His power and presence were immediately felt, providing a much-needed jolt of energy and production. If Stanton can stay healthy and continue to swing a hot bat, he could carry the offense while the other stars work to find their timing.
Despite the individual struggles, the Yankees remain a formidable team, as evidenced by Saturday's 9-0 drubbing of these same Orioles. Today's game is a crucial rubber match against a division rival. The team's season-long stats prove this isn't a fluke; they still rank 4th in runs per game and boast a pitching staff with a top-seven ERA (3.54). The foundation is strong, but the cracks are showing. A series win against Baltimore would go a long way toward calming the nerves in the Bronx.
The current lineup shuffles highlight the importance of the Yankees' player development. With veterans slumping, youngsters are getting a chance to shine in new roles. Jasson 'The Martian' Domínguez batting leadoff is a testament to the trust he's earned. He and Anthony Volpe are proof that the farm system, which was used to acquire Juan Soto, is still producing valuable, everyday contributors. While the system may not be churning out superstars at the moment, its ability to provide reinforcements is more critical than ever.
The return of a healthy Stanton is a massive boost, but it can't mask the problem forever. The Yankees' season won't be defined by a weekend series in June, but by whether its superstars can shake off their slumps and return to form. All eyes will be on the box score to see if the heart of the order can find its rhythm and turn the boos back into cheers.
