First pitch: 3 things I heard this week from the New York Yankees and Houston Astros

Jul 15, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yankees, Aaron Boone
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) /

Aaron Boone still waiting for the “fun” from the Yankees lineup

While dropping two of three in Denver, a trend of not being able to put together a string of offense continued for New York, something that has plagued the Yankees all season (especially without Aaron Judge in the lineup) and continues to rear its ugly head after the All-Star break.

Since the Midsummer Classic in Seattle, New York is collectively slashing .210/.298/.317. That won’t win you many games, even with a roster that includes Stanton, D.J. LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres among other notable names. Manager Aaron Boone realizes this and you could sense his frustration starting to build as what was hoped to be a clean start with a new hitting coach after the All-Star break hasn’t materialized yet.

“We show up every day to shake hands at the end of the night, right?” Boone asked when his stagnant offense was brought up after a 7-2 loss to the Rockies to open the series. “We’re capable. They’re grinding and a lot of these guys are going to get hot together. That’s when the fun happens.”

Losers of five of six since the All-Star break, the Yankees need something fun to happen for its offense soon.