Are the Yankees making us watch a rerun? Do not get me improper. I like a superb rerun if it is a good present. I would watch the hell out of Breaking Unhealthy reruns. In sports activities, although, it is often much less enjoyable. Ask Yankees followers about this one which they only noticed in 2022. 

Do not forget that Yankees crew? They began off 7-6 after which went completely nuts. By the center of June, there have been tales about their historic tempo. Might they win 114 just like the 1998 squad? By means of June 29, these Yankees have been 56-20, a 162-game tempo of 119 wins. At practically the midway level of the season, they have been on tempo to set the single-season win report. At precisely the midway level, they’d 58 wins, placing them on tempo to tie the 2001 Mariners. They headed to the All-Star break 64-28. 

The 2022 Yankees would solely go 35-35 within the second half. They have been uninspiring within the playoffs. Positive, they superior previous the 92-win Guardians in 5 video games within the ALDS, however then they have been manhandled and swept by the Astros within the ALCS. It was a whimper from a crew that was probably the greatest ever by way of simply concerning the midway level of the season. 

The 2024 Yankees have been the very best crew in baseball by way of the center of June. They received 49 of their first 70 video games, a 162-game tempo of 113 wins. They received their fiftieth sport with solely 22 losses. They did most of this with out 2023 Cy Younger winner Gerrit Cole. There have been good indicators early within the season that the lineup can be a lot deeper, notably with the additions of Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, but additionally because of what regarded like a breakout season from Anthony Volpe. 

Since June 14, although, the Yankees have gone 5-15 and Yankees followers all over the place are going, “we have seen this one earlier than, have not we?” Hell, perhaps it isn’t a rerun, as a result of they give the impression of being a lot worse than merely a .500-after-the-break crew. 

Perhaps there’s hope to keep away from the same destiny to 2022. Volpe continues to be loads younger and will get scorching once more. Giancarlo Stanton was having a really good season earlier than harm, so as soon as he comes again, that’ll assist. Verdugo must be higher. Gleyber Torres must be higher. Perhaps Ben Rice is legit. All of these items may assist, however on this dangerous stretch there’s been far an excessive amount of of “Aaron Choose and Juan Soto can solely achieve this a lot.” 

The rotation, too, may simply change into dominant. We have seen nice stretches earlier than from the likes of Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes whereas we’re totally conscious of what Cole can do. 

The best way issues look proper now, although, they definitely have causes for pessimism, particularly since they only noticed a traditionally nice begin crumble two seasons in the past. 

Greatest Movers

Rk	Groups		Chg	Rcrd
1	Phillies	Unhealthy timing for the Phillies to get the Braves in Atlanta with each Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber on the injured record. Taking one of many three video games might be, truly, a plus. The Braves wanted a sweep to trim the deficit to 6 video games. As a substitute, it is eight. Anyway, each gamers can be again quickly and I am not inclined to bump the Phillies underneath such circumstances.	—	58-32
2	Orioles	They received two sequence and have been 4-2 on a visit out west, which is a superb success. I simply must ask: What within the utter hell was that crap on Saturday evening? How does a terrific crew get down 17-1 to a horrible crew? Baseball!	1	57-33
3	Guardians	I liked seeing David Fry make the All-Star crew. He is been so helpful to them. A utility man who can be a catcher? How cool is that?	1	56-32
4	Dodgers	Did you discover Shohei Ohtani has 20 stolen bases? He is received a shot at 40-40!	—	55-36
5	Brewers	The Brewers had by no means had a participant win the batting title earlier than Christian Yelich arrived. He received it in 2018 and 2019. He is at present main the NL in common in 2024, too.	1	53-38
6	Braves	Chris Sale has an opportunity to affix Max Scherzer, Roy Halladay, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and Vida Blue and as pitchers to begin for each leagues within the All-Star Recreation.	1	49-39
7	Yankees	I wasn’t certain the place to rank the Yankees, given their glorious general report juxtaposed with how atrocious they have been within the final 20 video games — till I spotted I had the Twins slightly below them. I completely can not put the Yankees beneath the Twins, contemplating how the video games between the 2 groups went.	2	55-37
8	Twins	José Miranda was hitting .297 by way of July 3. He is now hitting .331 after going 12 for 13 the remainder of the week.	—	51-39
9	Purple Sox	Kenley Jansen is now fifth all-time in saves with 438. He is one behind Craig Kimbrel. Lee Smith is third with 478, so it is affordable to assume Jansen (and Kimbrel) can leap over Smith and path solely Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. How spectacular is that this? Speak amongst yourselves.	3	49-40
10	Astros	Many people saved saying by way of Might that the Astros can be in first place by the All-Star break. Right here we go. It is a two-game deficit with one week to go. The second of fact!	1	46-44
11	Royals	Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting .324 proper now. The Royals have not had a .320+ hitter since 2002 (Mike Sweeney, .340). Of the 15 occasions a participant has performed so in franchise historical past, 5 have been George Brett.	2	49-43
12	Cardinals	Willson Contreras returned from a damaged arm this previous week. In his six video games since stated return, he is 8 for 25 with two doubles, three residence runs and eight RBI.	2	48-42
13	Padres	It has been an extended journey to All-Star Recreation starter for Jurickson Profar. Effectively-deserved choice and good for him.	3	49-45
14	Mariners	Victor Robles’ homer on Sunday was his first since Sept. 27, 2022. He is truly swung the bat nicely in his restricted time with the Mariners since coming over from the Nats.	1	49-43
15	Diamondbacks	I do know All-Star snubs aren’t the largest deal on the planet and perhaps he’ll get to go anyway, nevertheless it actually seems like Christian Walker wanted to get the nod.	2	45-45
16	Mets	Pete Alonso within the Dwelling Run Derby makes a ton of sense and all that, however at this level I would somewhat see Mark Vientos.	1	44-45
17	Giants	Heliot Ramos wasn’t even within the majors till Might 8. Now with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 54 video games, he is an All-Star.	2	44-47
18	Rangers	We all know they’ve potential. Sweeping the Rays would possibly simply be the start of the flip round.	5	42-48
19	Rays	The sequence win over the Royals appeared prefer it could possibly be large within the wild-card race, however then the Rays have been stomped in Texas. They’re again beneath .500 and proceed to lack the consistency wanted to maintain up in competition.	3	44-46
20	Pirates	The Pirates are very attention-grabbing. For instance, on Sunday I wrote that I need Paul Skenes to begin the All-Star Recreation and I need Oneil Cruz within the Dwelling Run Derby. That is a enjoyable crew, even when not essentially a superb one.	2	43-47
21	Nationals	I discussed final week that the Nats had an opportunity with their upcoming schedule to show they belonged in competition. Up to now they went 2-2 in opposition to the Mets and 1-2 in opposition to the Cardinals. I would not name {that a} assertion.	1	42-49
22	Tigers	Gifted rookie Colt Keith may be discovering his approach. He is had a number of large video games within the final month (together with two four-hit video games) and is at present 9 for 21 with a triple and three homers throughout a five-game hitting streak.	4	42-48
23	Reds	The Reds can look so good at occasions. They swept the Yankees this previous week. Earlier this season they swept the Dodgers and took two of three from the Phillies. However then they’re going to flip round and get swept by the Tigers at residence. It is maddening sufficient for me. I am guessing it is torture for the Reds fan base.	2	42-48
24	Cubs	Justin Steele has a 1.67 ERA in his final eight begins and simply completed the primary full sport of his profession. On the 12 months, he is pitched to a 2.95 ERA in 13 begins. He is 1-3. It is a good illustration of how a lot the rotation has needed to try to carry the crew all season.	—	42-49
25	Blue Jays	The Jays received two of three in Seattle and that is a superb sequence, however they’re nonetheless solely forward of three terrible groups within the AL and sit 8.5 video games out of a playoff spot. The state of affairs is dire.	3	41-49
26	Athletics	The A’s will get scorching each on occasion. In April, they received 5 of six. In late April/early Might, they went on a stretch the place they received eight of 9. Proper now, they’ve received 4 of six.	2	34-58
27	Angels	By means of 2021, Tyler Anderson had a 4.62 profession ERA and was headed to his age-32 season. He is now a two-time All-Star.	2	37-52
28	Rockies	The Rockies at present haven’t any participant on tempo to hit 30 homers. They have not had a 30-homer participant since 2019.	1	32-58
29	Marlins	The Marlins someway had a profitable report in Might (14-13). In any other case, they’re 18-45.	2	32-58
30	White Sox	The Sox have gone 5-5 of their final 10 video games, which is a *nice* stretch of baseball for them.	—	26-66