Yankees starter Max Fried has been facing a significant decline after a stellar first half of the season. Once boasting a dominant 1.92 ERA across 17 starts, Fried has struggled badly in recent weeks, seeing his ERA spike to 6.80 over his last eight outings. The once-reliable ace now finds himself under increased scrutiny as his performances continue to dip during a critical stretch of the season.
In his most recent outing against the Cardinals, Fried surrendered seven runs on eight hits in just over five innings. Though the Yankees ultimately came back to win 12–8, Fried’s shaky showing added to a troubling trend. The win may have masked the issue in the box score, but Fried’s inability to hold the lead kept the spotlight firmly on his recent form.
Fried was direct and self-critical in his postgame comments. He acknowledged that his recent outings haven’t been sharp and said he’s working to make necessary adjustments. “Just haven’t been sharp… I know going forward, I got to be way better,” Fried said. He clarified that he’s healthy and believes the issues are tied to execution rather than injury or fatigue.
Manager Aaron Boone backed his pitcher while reinforcing that this isn’t a physical issue. Boone pointed out that even elite pitchers hit rough patches and emphasized that Fried still has the tools to succeed. “Physically, he’s in a good spot, stuff’s there. It’s just another level of execution,” Boone explained, expressing continued faith in the lefty.
Fried’s slump reflects broader challenges for the Yankees, who have faltered badly since mid-June. With a 20–31 record over that stretch—the worst in the American League—the team is in a tailspin. Fried’s return to form may be key to stabilizing the rotation and salvaging New York’s playoff hopes as the regular season enters its final stages.
