On July 13, 2025, the Yankees fell 4-1 to the Cubs as Shota Imanaga dominated. Giancarlo Stanton homered, but the bats went cold before the All-Star break.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that's not how you want to head into a vacation. After a blistering five-game winning streak, the Yankees fizzled out this weekend, capped by a frustrating 4-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The Bronx Bombers were anything but, as Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga put on a clinic, making a potent lineup look completely lost at the plate and sending the team into the All-Star break with a sour taste in their mouths.
The Yankees managed only two hits all game, losing their second straight after a five-game winning streak.
From the jump, this game belonged to Shota Imanaga. The Cubs' starter was simply dealing, carving up the Yankee order for seven masterful innings. He allowed just one run on two hits while striking out six, and he seemed to have Aaron Judge's number all day, fanning the captain twice on nasty splitters. For the Yankees, rookie Will Warren was solid, giving the team a chance with 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball. But the offense provided zero support. Michael Busch's leadoff homer set the tone for Chicago, and Dansby Swanson's two-run shot in the sixth off Warren was the back-breaker.
The only glimmer of hope for the pinstripes came from the massive bat of Giancarlo Stanton. In the second inning, Big G connected for his 433rd career home run, a solo blast that briefly tied the game. It was a classic Stanton moonshot and a reminder of the power lurking in this lineup, even on a day when it was mostly dormant. As Stanton continues his march up the all-time home run list, his power remains a critical X-factor for this team's success.
This loss stings because it completes a two-game slide right before the break. The Yankees now sit at 53-43, a respectable record, but they've lost ground in the AL East. They enter the break 2.5 games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. The momentum from their recent winning streak has evaporated, and the break now becomes a crucial reset button. The question for the second half is clear: can this offense find the consistency to match its elite power potential?
While the big league club sputtered, the future of the organization was on full display. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. earned rave reviews for his performance in the All-Star Futures Game, a testament to his strong development. With the 2025 MLB Draft kicking off Sunday evening, the front office has a chance to inject even more high-end talent into a farm system that continues to produce. It’s a welcome reminder that even on a tough day in the Bronx, the foundation for future championships is being built.
The All-Star break couldn't have come at a better time. It's a chance for the bats to reset, for the pitchers to rest, and for the entire team to refocus for the stretch run. The Yankees are still very much in the hunt, but this weekend was a stark reminder that nothing comes easy. Here's to a restful break and a powerful return for the second half.
