As the MLB season passes Memorial Day and the one-third mark, the New York Yankees hold the second-best record in the American League.
General Manager Brian Cashman entered May with a 41% approval rating, higher than recent years, but the team's inconsistent performance has sparked renewed debate.
The Yankees started May strong with a sweep of the Orioles and a series win over the Rangers.
However, they were swept by the Brewers and lost consecutive series to the Orioles and Mets, including a walk-off loss in Queens.
A series win against the Blue Jays provided temporary relief, but a split with the Rays exposed offensive frailties.
The month ended on a high note with a sweep of the Royals and a series win in Sacramento.
The team's streakiness is evident: three winning streaks of at least five games and two losing streaks of at least four games.
They scored at least 23 runs in seven series but also had two scoreless streaks of over 20 innings.
Offensive Standouts and Struggles
Aaron Judge and Ben Rice have been the offensive pillars, though both cooled in May.
Judge posted a 126 wRC+ and Rice a 156 wRC+, down from their April peaks. The bottom of the lineup remains a concern: catchers Austin Wells and J.
C.
Escarra combined for the second-worst wRC+ (58) among AL catchers, and third baseman Ryan McMahon has a 75 wRC+.
Other players have stepped up.
Cody Bellinger has a 140 wRC+ and 2.2 fWAR, while Paul Goldschmidt stabilized the DH role with six home runs and a 140 wRC+ after injuries to Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Domínguez.
Anthony Volpe returned from shoulder surgery with a disciplined approach, posting a . 375 OBP and 128 wRC+ in 13 games.
Trent Grisham and Jazz Chisholm Jr. rebounded from slow starts, each with a wRC+ above 126 in May.
Pitching and Bullpen Concerns
The rotation has been exemplary despite the loss of Max Fried to an elbow injury.
Cam Schlittler leads the AL with a 1.50 ERA, 1.90 FIP, and 2.9 fWAR.
Gerrit Cole has returned from Tommy John surgery without missing a beat.
Carlos Rodón has posted back-to-back one-run outings after a rocky return from elbow surgery, and Will Warren and Ryan Weathers provide solid back-end options.
The bullpen remains the weakest link, highlighted by David Bednar's three-run homer allowed to Tyrone Taylor. Even Tim Hill and Brent Headrick have struggled recently.
Reinforcements may come from Yovanny Cruz, who impressed in a brief stint, or top prospect Carlos Lagrange, who throws a 103 mph fastball.
One of Warren or Weathers could move to the bullpen when Fried returns.
Cashman's job approval hinges on whether the Yankees can maintain their offensive and pitching metrics while addressing bullpen inconsistency.
The team sits a game-and-a-half behind the Rays in the division, and their streaky nature leaves them vulnerable to both dominant wins and frustrating losses.
