Yankees set for ‘long haul' despite AL East lead narrowing: Aaron Boone
It was far-fetched to ever believe the Yankees actually would run away with the division before the All-Star break arrived.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free
But their recent 4-9 skid has made things a bit tighter atop the AL East as they hit the halfway point of the season.
Advertisement
While the Yankees were off Thursday after playing 16 straight days, their lead was trimmed to just half a game as the Rays won yet again, for the 25th time in their past 34 games.
The half-game lead is the Yankees' smallest since April 22.
In between, the lead had stretched to as many as seven games on May 27-28.
'These things are coming for you,' manager Aaron Boone said of his team's recent dive. 'I can tell you, I think we're a really good friggin' team, and I believe that's going to show over the long haul. Kind of has shown already so far in the first half.
Advertisement
Yankees manager Aaron Boone argues with umpires during a recent game againt the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
David Butler II-Imagn Images
'We understand we got a long way to go. We got to go do it. But it's been a rough couple weeks for us — or whatever, 10-12 days, for us. It's part of it.'
After facing the Athletics this weekend, the Yankees will be back on the road next week for four games against the Blue Jays, who are three games back after winning 16 of their past 25.
Advertisement
Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu (left) and Cody Bellinger react dejectedly in the dugout during the ninth inning of the Yankees' loss to the Angels on June 17, 2025.
JASON SZENES/NY POST
'We never prepare for anything but [the division] is going to be tough,' Boone said. 'That's what we expect moving forward. Hopefully when the dust settles, we're sitting on top. That's our expectation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
43 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Judge, Ohtani elected to start in All-Star Game as top vote-getters
Eric Samulski discusses Jacob deGrom's amazing start to the season for the Texas Rangers, explaining how the 37-year-old veteran has been able to stay healthy this year and return to his "vintage" All-Star form. NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani and the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge were the first players picked for the July 15 All-Star Game at Atlanta's Truist Park, elected as starters by fans on Thursday. Judge led the major leagues with 4,012,983 votes in the first round of fan balloting and the outfielder was picked for his seventh American League start in eight All-Star Games, though he missed the 2023 game because of a sprained right big toe. He also was the leading vote-getter during the first phase in 2022 and last year. Ohtani topped the NL and was second in the big leagues with 3,967,668 votes, becoming the first designated hitter to start in five straight All-Star Games. The pair were selected under rules that began in 2022 and give starting spots to the top vote-getter in each league in the first phase of online voting, which began June 4 and ended Thursday. Two finalists at every other position advanced to the second phase, which runs from noon EDT on Monday to noon EDT on July 2. Votes from the first phase do not carry over. An individual can vote once per 24-hour period. Remaining starters will be announced on July 2. Pitchers and reserves will be revealed on July 6. Seven players from the World Series champion Dodgers advanced to the second phase along with three each from the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets, and two apiece from the Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. AL finalists: Catcher: Alejandro Kirk, Cal Raleigh First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Second Base: Jackson Holliday, Gleyber Torres Third Base: Alex Bregman, José Ramírez Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, Bobby Witt Jr. Designated Hitter: Ryan O'Hearn, Ben Rice Outfield: Javier Báez, Riley Greene, Steven Kwan, Mike Trout NL finalists Catcher: Carson Kelly, Will Smith First Base: Pete Alonso, Freddie Freeman Second Base: Tommy Edman, Ketel Marte Third Base: Manny Machado, Max Muncy Shortstop: Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor Outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Five things to know about Celtics' second-round draft pick Max Shulga
Here are five things to know about the Celtics final draft selection: He followed his coach from Utah State to VCU, where he ascended Shulga was a role player over his first two seasons at Utah State before breaking out in his third year: he increased his points per game average from 4.4 as a sophomore to 11.9 as a junior, and his 3-point attempts climbed from 1.3 per game to 4.3. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Coach Ryan Odom departed Utah State for the same job at VCU following the season, and Shulga followed his coach as a transfer. Advertisement Shulga continued his upward trajectory his first year at VCU, averaging 14 points per game and shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc to earn first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Then, after returning as a fifth-year senior, he won the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award and led VCU to the NCAA Tournament. Shooting is his biggest strength Shulga is a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter, and lauded by most analysts as one of the top catch-and-shoot players in the draft class. Advertisement Across his two seasons at VCU, Shulga knocked down 40.2 percent of his 3-pointers on nearly 400 attempts, and averaged more than five attempts per game. His shooting was particularly effective off the catch, drilling 43.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes last season. He also showcased his NBA range in nailing 40 percent of his 3-pointers from beyond 25 feet. He is well-rounded but without other clear strengths Shulga is more than just a shooter on the offensive end, converting 56.3 percent of his attempts at the rim and drawing 5.4 free throw attempts per game this past season. He also averaged 4.0 assists to 1.7 turnovers. Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor writes that 'he is more of a secondary ball-handler, but has a solid handle with some wiggle,' while also noting that 'he lacks burst off the dribble, which limits his ceiling as a shot creator.' On the defensive end, he guards well at the point of attack and has shown toughness, but analysts worry about his lack of size and lateral quickness holding up against NBA competition. He moved to Spain at age 13 to further his basketball development Shulga grew up in Kviv, and learned the game from his older family members — his father refereed FIBA basketball games and his uncle played professionally in Europe. He moved to Spain at age 13 to attend the Basketball School of Excellence in Torrelodones, a Madrid suburb, and became a top youth player in the Spanish junior leagues. Shulga emerged on the radar of US college coaches following his performances with the Ukrainian junior national team, which he continued to compete for after moving to Spain. In the B Division of the Under-18 European Championships, he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds while shooting 53 percent from three. Advertisement VCU fans waived Ukrainian flags in support on senior night With his immediate family members still residing in Kyiv during a prolonged time of unrest in Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion, the VCU basketball program and wider community worked to show solidarity for Shulga. On senior night in March, hundreds of VCU fans waved Ukrainian flags when Shulga was introduced, with the fanbase dubbing it 'Moment for Max.' Shulga has been open in numerous media interviews about the challenges of balancing his basketball career with the ongoing conflict back home. 'When I'm on the court, playing in the game, everything kind of just goes away,' Matty Wasserman can be reached at
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Jesse Winker taking next step in rehab in optimistic Mets sign
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Mark Vientos is slated to be activated from the injured list Friday, and Jesse Winker should not be too far behind. Winker, who has been out since early May with a right oblique strain, took batting practice before Thursday's 4-0 win over the Braves. Advertisement Carlos Mendoza said the plan is for Winker to start a minor-league rehab assignment, probably for Single-A Brooklyn beginning Sunday. 'Good, he looks normal,' Mendoza said after watching Winker's BP session. 'No hesitation, just going through his normal routine, and again, conviction, he's not favoring anything. So talking to him, he's on schedule to start [playing games] on Sunday, most likely here in Brooklyn.' Jesse Winker is set to soon begin a rehab assignment in Single-A Brooklyn. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Advertisement Mendoza added that Winker will continue taking batting practice the next two days before progressing to game action. The lefty-swinging Winker, who has been limited to 67 at-bats this season, would give Mendoza another option at designated hitter or for situational pinch-hitting duties. Vientos (hamstring) is expected to return to the active roster Friday in Pittsburgh for the first time since he was injured June 2. Delivering insights on all things Amazin's Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Advertisement Left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea was slated to play catch Thursday after he was shut down earlier in the week from his rehab assignment due to elbow discomfort that an MRI showed to be a loose body in the elbow. He also received a cortisone injection Monday. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS Advertisement 'If everything goes well, he's scheduled to throw a bullpen by the weekend, and then, step-by-step, day-by-day, but hopefully he's making that next rehab start early next week,' Mendoza said. The 33-year-old Manaea hasn't pitched yet this season after re-signing with the Mets on a three-year deal worth $75 million in free agency. He suffered an oblique injury during spring training and later had a setback with the same issue. Before this delay, Manaea had made four minor-league starts — three for Brooklyn and one for Triple-A Syracuse —, giving up eight earned runs in 12 combined innings. First baseman Pete Alonso, shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Juan Soto were named as finalists at their positions in the voting for the NL starters for the All-Star Game. Phase 2 of the voting begins at noon Monday.
