In a league where every play is measured to the millimeter, blaming the weather sounds like an excuse… until the heat begins to alter not only performance, but also team management. That’s exactly what’s happening in the Bronx. After an encouraging series against the Orioles, the Yankees collapsed in Cincinnati, looking erratic and sluggish. The worrying thing was not only the defeat against the Reds, but also the manner: no offensive answers, no reaction, no soul.
The offense left runners stranded and opportunities wasted. Twelve at-bats with men in scoring position without a single hit. Nine players were left on base. The eighth inning, which could have changed the course of the game, went up in smoke with three consecutive outs after a real threat. Aaron Boone, the manager, did not hide his impression: he blamed the sweltering 37-degree heat as the main culprit for the physical and mental collapse.
An offense dehydrated in the middle of summer
The offensive slump is neither coincidental nor recent. In the last two weeks, the Yankees have posted a batting average below .170 with runners in scoring position and an alarming strikeout rate. Not even individual flashes, such as Aaron Judge’s home run, are enough to make up for the lack of collective response. The team seems fatigued, and the intensity that once characterized them seems to have been diluted by the heat wave.
While the manager calls for understanding over the extreme conditions, some rivals shine with total naturalness. Elly De La Cruz, for example, was the absolute protagonist on the same night and under the same weather. This difference in approach and attitude shows that not all teams process the impact of heat in the same way. Some suffer from it, others overcome it.
The Mets, an example of planning in extreme conditions
On the other side of the city, the situation was no less heated, but the response was different. Faced with the extreme heat warning in New York, the Mets applied a clear protocol. They delayed reports, reduced training and focused their routine on hydration. Even the clubhouse screens served as a constant reminder to take care of their bodies. Every decision was made with efficiency and long-term performance in mind.
Carlos Mendoza, at the helm of the group, made it clear that preparation is key at this stage of the calendar. Frankie Montas made his first start of the season in high temperatures and responded intelligently. Fast pace, few pitches and focus. The team understood that it is not just about enduring the heat, but adapting to it without losing competitive capacity.
High temperatures are nothing new in Major League Baseball, but their impact is felt more strongly in the midst of the hectic schedule and the pressure to keep up. The Yankees must make deep adjustments if they want to stay in the race. Talent is not enough when the body begins to give way and concentration wanes.
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