The New York Yankees find themselves grappling with an unprecedented losing streak, their longest in over four decades. Another defeat would place them in a position they haven’t faced since well before their tenure in the Bronx.
Their next challenge comes from the Washington Nationals, whom they will host on Wednesday night as they strive to break a losing streak that dates back to August 11th – a disheartening nine consecutive losses.
During this unfortunate stretch, the Yankees have transitioned from being four games over .500 to five games under, as they’ve been outscored 53-21. In their most recent game against the Washington Nationals, the Yankees suffered a 2-1 loss. Ben Rortvedt managed to provide some offensive spark for the team, hitting a home run and contributing both of their only hits.
Rortvedt expressed the collective frustration within the team: “Every loss really stinks at this point… We really have to come in to prepare to turn this around. Every day’s a new opportunity to really go out there and flip a switch.”
This dismal streak marks the Yankees’ longest losing sequence since 1982. Their last ten-game losing streak dates back to 1913, a time when the team was known as the Yankees, predating their move to the original Yankee Stadium.
Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the team’s struggles: “Pretty down but we got to fight through it… it makes it hard.”
Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals are experiencing a contrasting trajectory. They’ve emerged victorious in seven of their last nine series and are aiming to extend that run to eight out of ten. A notable highlight was CJ Abrams’ eighth-inning home run, propelling the Nationals to a 13th win in 18 games. This strong performance prompted the Nationals to ink manager Dave Martinez to a two-year contract extension.
Despite the challenging situation, Luis Severino (2-8, 7.98 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees. Severino has been struggling this season, with a current record of 1-6 and an ERA of 11.08 over his last eight appearances. On the other side, MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.38) will be the starting pitcher for the Nationals. His recent standout performance against Boston showcased his potential for success.
As the Yankees grapple with their longest losing streak in decades, the Nationals are riding a wave of momentum, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal clash on the diamond.
