Watch: Raucous reception for Anthony Rizzo as Yanks sweep Royals
"Its hard to have fun when you're getting your teeth kicked in," New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo told Bryan Hoch on July 19.
The Yankees had just lost 7-3 to the Los Angeles Angels, falling to 1-5 since the All-Star break and slipping to just three games above .500.
Rizzo himself was in the midst of perhaps the biggest slump of his major league career since injuring his neck in May. In Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals, Rizzo finally broke an 0-for-20 streak after ditching his batting gloves.
But on Sunday he erupted, going 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and his first home run since May 20, earning himself the "silent treatment," from his teammates.
When asked after the win about the key to his breakout day, Rizzo gave credit to his new walk-up music changing his tune at the plate: Taylor Swift's "Ready For It."
"It's her summer, really," Rizzo told media after the game.
Rizzo's third inning blast was his first in 45 games, and it was the first time since 2019 with the Chicago Cubs that he recorded four hits.
Despite sweeping the Royals this weekend in New York, the Yankees still find themselves tied for last place in the American League East. However, even with their poor play on either side of the Midsummer Classic, they sit just two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the final A.L. wild-card spot.
At this critical juncture in the season, pressure remains on Rizzo to hit consistently for New York to remain competitive in the playoff hunt.
Aaron Judge continues to make progress with his injury rehab, taking live batting practice before Sunday's game. But there is still no set return date for the reigning MVP, and even when he does return, New York will need Rizzo to be a threat at the plate.
As he often follows Judge in the lineup, Rizzo's ability to hit for average and power will put more pressure on pitchers to challenge Judge. But opponents need to actually fear facing Rizzo to do anything other than pitch around Judge once he returns.
If Rizzo is able to return to his early season form (.303 batting average with 11 HR and 31 RBI before his neck injury), New York will have a great shot to make the postseason.
If not, expect things to get ugly in the Bronx.
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