Yankees News, 6/30: Brian Cashman throws players under the bus, team rallies in response

The Yankees have been one of the most polarizing teams in baseball this year, enduring lengthy losing streaks but clawing their way back into the AL East standings with all hope seemed to be lost.

Most recently, the Yankees lost four consecutive games, being swept by the Boston Red Sox for the second time this season and falling to the sub .500 Los Angeles Angels in Game 1 of a four-game series. However, it wasn’t until general manager Brian Cashman absolved manager Aaron Boone of any liability that the team seemed to break out. On Tuesday evening, the Yankees surged past the Angels, scoring 11 runs, most of which came before the sixth inning.

However, it was interesting to see Cashman throw the players under the bus and salvage the names of the coaches. From experience, when you have the highest payroll in baseball, there is no question that talent is available, and they can only perform as well as the coaching staff prepares them. Of course, confidence and the mental side of the game do play a significant part when enduring struggles, but it’s the manager’s job to motivate his team and deliver inspiration when they need it most.

Brian Cashman said: “This isn’t an Aaron Boone problem. This isn’t a coaching staff problem.”

Currently, the Yankees are 41-38 on the season and remain 7.5 games back from the Boston Red Sox in first place. Finding their way to a postseason appearance is not going to be easy, and the Yankees must win the majority of their future games. They have two games left against the Angels before taking on the Mets in a subway Series at Yankee Stadium.

The Mets have played solid baseball this year and currently reside in first place in the NL East, so they represent a formidable opponent. Finishing off the Angels with two more wins might give the Bombers some momentum headed into an important series at home before embarking on a six-game road trip on the West Coast.