As the Yankees reached the halfway mark of their season with their 81st game against the Athletics, manager Aaron Boone reflected on the team’s performance. Holding a 46–34 record and a slim lead in the AL East, Boone summarized the season so far with one word: “incomplete.”
He acknowledged the team’s highs and lows but expressed confidence in the roster. “We’ve put ourselves in a solid position despite the ups and downs,” Boone said. He emphasized the continuous effort to improve both individual players and the team overall.
A key factor in the Yankees’ success has been their starting pitching. Despite early injuries, the rotation has outperformed expectations. The team holds a 3.43 ERA (6th in MLB), a .262 opponent batting average on balls in play (3rd), and ranks 4th in strikeouts. Max Fried leads the majors with 10 wins and is a candidate to start the All-Star Game.
Boone highlighted how the rotation has stepped up amid injuries, including the loss of ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery. Reinforcements like Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman are nearing returns, while Carlos Rodon (2.92 ERA) and Clarke Schmidt (2.84 ERA) have anchored the staff. Rookie Will Warren has contributed as a reliable back-end starter.
The bullpen, while dealing with inconsistency and injuries (including to Luke Weaver), has maintained a 3.53 ERA, ranking 10th in MLB. Boone described the relief corps as “mostly solid,” with potential to become a major strength in the second half.
Offensively, despite losing Juan Soto, the team has adapted well. The Yankees rank second in OPS (.786), second in home runs (121), and fifth in total runs (407).
However, June exposed issues in defensive fundamentals and baserunning, which Boone acknowledged must improve if they’re to contend seriously for the AL pennant. He noted the roster’s better balance and athleticism compared to 2024 but stressed the need for sharper play.
“I truly believe this is a very good team with a lot of potential,” Boone said. “Now it’s about realizing that potential and delivering results in the second half.”
