The MLB action on Wednesday, June 18, is highlighted by Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, who looks to extend his impressive run against the New York Mets after a string of five starts allowing one run or less. The Braves are slightly above .500 in those outings, yet Sale remains a solid target for prop bets. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins are struggling against the Cincinnati Reds, having lost their last five games. The Reds, currently favored at -128, have a 59% chance of winning according to the latest simulations. Lastly, the New York Yankees are eager to end their five-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Angels, with Aaron Judge struggling at the plate, yet the Yankees are still favored to win...

The New York Yankees faced a disheartening defeat against the Los Angeles Angels, suffering a shutout loss at home, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. The Yankees' offense continued to falter, recording only four hits and striking out 12 times. Star player Aaron Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, highlighting the team's struggle for offensive consistency. Manager Aaron Boone's lineup changes, including placing rookie Jasson Domínguez at the leadoff spot, failed to ignite the bats as they fell to 42-30 overall, still maintaining their lead in the AL East.

The Yankees have now gone scoreless for 28 consecutive innings, a streak that places them on the verge of a franchise record. Their recent performance has raised eyebrows as they became the first AL team to be shut out with 10 or more strikeouts in three straight games. As they prepare for the final game against the Angels, tomorrow's matchup presents a crucial opportunity to halt the downward trend and regain momentum.

Despite ongoing boos from the crowd, Aaron Judge remains a standout player amidst the Yankees' struggles. Following a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Angels, Judge's recent slump—where he struck out three times and has a 2-for-19 streak—has led to frustration among fans. Yet, his overall season statistics, including a .377 batting average and 26 home runs, showcase his elite performance. Former Mets GM Steve Phillips expressed disbelief at the booing, urging fans to appreciate Judge's exceptional contributions to the team.

The Yankees are currently enduring a dismal stretch, experiencing five consecutive losses and three shutouts, raising concerns among fans about the team's playoff ambitions. Judge's resilience will be crucial as they aim to turn around their fortunes. Analysts debated the appropriateness of booing a player of Judge's caliber, emphasizing that he deserves patience during challenging times.

The New York Yankees are experiencing one of their worst offensive slumps in years, having been shut out in three consecutive games for the first time in nearly a decade. In their latest loss to the Los Angeles Angels, the Yankees not only extended their losing streak to five games but also tied a franchise record for three straight shutouts. Their offense has been stagnant, scoring only five runs in the last six games. Aaron Judge, despite being the leading hitter in the league, has faltered significantly, batting just .125 with 15 strikeouts over the past week. This slump has coincided with a broader team malaise, as several key players are also underperforming, including Cody Bellinger and Anthony Volpe.

Despite the struggles at the plate, the Yankees' pitching staff has been a bright spot, boasting a 1.48 ERA over the same stretch. However, their postseason odds have dipped slightly from 98.9% to 95.7%, indicating that while the team is in a rut, they still have a solid chance at making the playoffs. Manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic, stating that they need to focus on quality at-bats to break free from this slump. The Yankees' veterans held a players-only meeting to address their current struggles, highlighting the need to return to their core playing style.

Aaron Judge's pursuit of a .400 batting average has hit a rough patch, with his average plummeting to .372 following a bad June. Despite starting the month at .398, a surge of strikeouts has significantly impacted his performance. From June 1 to June 17, Judge struck out 26 times in 15 games, raising his strikeout percentage to a staggering 41.3%. This is a stark contrast to his 20.6% rate in April.

The increase in strikeouts can be attributed to Judge's struggle with pitch selection. He is facing more four-seam fastballs and changeups this month and is chasing pitches outside the strike zone more frequently. The adjustments by opposing pitchers might be a significant factor in his current struggles.