The Yankees' pitching is struggling to find rhythm.

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The New York Yankees' pitching staff has been underwhelming to say the least. Despite an offense powered by Aaron Judge, the team continues to let winnable games slip away due to glaring holes on the mound.

One of the few bright spots has been offseason acquisition Max Fried. With ace Gerrit Cole sidelined since spring training after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Fried has stepped up in a big way, anchoring the rotation. He’s posted an impressive 4-0 record with a dominant 1.42 ERA, providing much-needed stability at the top. Outside of Fried, Carlos Rodon hasn’t hit his stride either. With a 3-3 record, the Yankees are going to need him to do more. 

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Unfortunately, the rest of the rotation has struggled to find consistency, and the bullpen hasn't been much better. What was once considered a strength has become a liability, with late-inning leads proving anything but safe. If the Yankees hope to contend deep into October, the pitching staff, both starters and relievers, will need to turn things around quickly.

Beyond Fried, though, the rotation has struggled to find rhythm, primarily due to a wave of injuries. Several key arms have spent time on the IL, forcing the Yankees to rely on depth options who haven’t delivered consistent results. 

 The rest of the rotation has been marred by inconsistency and injury. Luis Gil — last year’s AL Rookie of the Year — is currently on the injured list with a right lat strain, and his absence has been deeply felt. Marcus Stroman (left knee), Jake Cousins (right forearm), and Jonathan Loáisiga (UCL) are also sidelined, leaving the Yankees without several key arms they were counting on to help weather the storm in Cole’s absence. 

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Earlier in spring training, the depth of the bullpen was seen as a strength of the team. During the offseason, the Yankees made a key acquisition. Trading for elite closer, Devin Williams. The former Brewer, known for his lethal changeup, has been far from dominant in 2025, with an ERA exceeding 10.00 and a noticeable decline in command and velocity. Walks have piled up, and his once-unhittable "Airbender" hasn’t had the same bite. 

Last season, the Yankees relied on Luke Weaver as their closer, but the addition of Devin Williams was expected to form an elite late-inning duo to lock down games. The plan was to have Weaver set up for Williams, with the two of them closing out games in dominant fashion. However, this season, that strategy has faltered. Weaver has shifted into a setup role, coming in between the sixth and seventh innings to get crucial outs before Williams takes over in the ninth.

Unfortunately, Williams has struggled to deliver in those high-leverage situations. Far from being the shutdown closer the Yankees envisioned, he’s blown several late-game leads. As of now, Williams has yet to secure a win this season, with his pitching record sitting at 0-3, most recently taking a loss in the game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

To play games late in October, the Yankees will need to get their bullpen in order.  For the Yankees, who are desperate for late-game stability, Williams no longer looks like a sure solution, and that only complicates what’s becoming a growing crisis on the mound. But with the trade deadline still ahead, reinforcements on the mend, and a front office known for bold moves, there’s still plenty of time to right the ship. 

If the pitching can stabilize, this team has the firepower to be dangerous come October — and maybe even bring another banner back to the Bronx, igniting the fans with excitement and anticipation.