Remember the mighty Yankees before the All-Star Games?
That was then; this now. The team’s offensive production has all but shutdown even though Aaron Judge is still hitting home runs at a record pace. He also strikes out a bunch, too, as does most of the lineup.
Hitters today are taught to swing on an upward plane. Get the ball in the air; some of the fly balls may land in the seats. All teams are guilty of this but not to the extent the Yankees.
They’ve lost 1-0 twice this month. They needed a squeeze bunt to beat Boston last Saturday. The play understandably fooled almost everyone at the park, including those in both dugouts.
All teams need more contact hitters, but home runs sell tickets and get players bigger contracts if they hit the long ball, so don’t expect the upper swing to fade away.
If the Yankees continue to fade, the World Series matchup baseball and TV execs dream about — Yankees vs. Dodgers — will fade away, too.
