Aaron Judge Calls Out Yankees' 'Lack of Focus' During 6-Game Losing Streak to Red Sox, Tigers

Aaron Judge doesn't often say much of significance when he speaks to the media, so his criticism of the New York Yankees amid their current six-game losing streak is indicative of how things are going in the Bronx.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Judge cited a "lack of focus" as the primary issue plaguing the Yankees right now:

"Well, it's not great. Just a little lack of focus. We just gotta dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have to remember that every single day they show up here. We're here to win a World Series.

"That should motivate you every single day you step on that field, no matter what happens, no matter what happens the day before. 'I got a job to do.' We've got an important sign when you walk out on the field. It's the last sign you see before you're out there; it says do your job. Guys are here to do their job."

The Yankees entered play on Wednesday having lost their last six games and nine of 11 dating back to June 20. This streak includes a four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park last weekend.

It marked the first time Boston has swept the Yankees in a four-game series since 2018.

Offense and starting pitching have been the primary issues for the Yankees during this swoon. They have scored the second-fewest runs in MLB dating back to June 20, ahead of only the Atlanta Braves who played two fewer games.

Their rotation has a 5.37 ERA over the past 11 games. Only the Houston Astros, Athletics and Kansas City Royals have been worse among AL teams during that span.

The Yankees haven't scored more than four runs in a game since a 5-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on June 19.

As a result of this recent swoon, the Yankees have gone from holding a three-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East to 2.5 games behind the Rays entering Wednesday.

One silver lining is the AL as a whole is so mediocre right now that they still own the second-best record after the Rays and are five games up for the No. 1 wild card spot.

Judge, who remains out of action due to a fractured rib, still has no official return timetable.

The hope is he will be back at some point in August, with Yankees manager Aaron Boone telling reporters on Tuesday the three-time AL MVP remains a "couple weeks" away from getting new imaging taken of his ribs to determine how it is healing.

Including Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees have 11 games remaining before the All-Star break. Their upcoming schedule includes four games against the Rays in Tampa from July 6-9.