New York Yankees at Bottom of Multiple Categories as Free Fall Continues

The Yankees are still in a playoff spot, but they are down to just 0.5 games up for the third and final spot.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) reacts after leaving the game during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Aug. 5. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

In a battle of playoff hopefuls, the New York Yankees lost again on Friday night, dropping a 5-3 contest against the Houston Astros in 10-innings.

Taylor Trammell delivered the big blast, hitting a two-run homer in the top of the tenth for Houston.

With the win, the Astros are 65-51, and they remain 1.5 games up on the Seattle Mariners in the American League West. The loss drops the Yankees to 61-55, and they now have just a 0.5 game lead on the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final wild card spot.

As noted by Yankees' expert Katie Sharp, this has been a struggle across the board for New York.

The overall picture

The Yankees are 19-30 since June 30, which is the worst record in the American League in that time. Yes, it's even worse than the Chicago White Sox, who set the major league record for losses (121) just a season ago.

Since June 13, the Yankees are 19-30.

That's the worst record among all AL teams in that span.

— Katie Sharp (@SharpStats17) August 9, 2025

Starter problems

Since July 30, the Yankees are the only team in baseball to not have a starter get an out in the sixth inning. Cam Schlittler was the latest to stumble, as he went just five innings on Friday night, though he did only give up two runs. He's now got a 4.38 ERA.

Of course, injury issues to Gerrit Cole (season) and Clake Schmidt (60-day IL) don't help, and Luis Gil just returned from a lengthy stay on the injured list himself.

The last Yankees starter to record an out in the 6th inning was Will Warren on July 30.

Since that date, every other team has had at least one starter record an out in the 6th inning in a game.

— Katie Sharp (@SharpStats17) August 9, 2025

Bullpen woes

When your starter fails to go to deep into games, it puts more work on the bullpen. More work on the bullpen means more chances for the bullpen to stumble. That's a group that now has 25 losses. That's the fourth-most in the majors.

Yankees bullpen now has 25 losses, tied for 4th most in MLB.

— Katie Sharp (@SharpStats17) August 9, 2025

The Devin Williams issue

And the bullpen issues culminate here, where closer Devin Williams, acquired during the offseason, has an ERA of 5.73. He's the one who surrendered the home run to Trammell, and he's fallen to 3-5.

It's beautiful 🥹 pic.twitter.com/5Pa7UByZqz

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 9, 2025

The Yankees will play the Astros again on Saturday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. ET.

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