The New York Yankees looked like they were finally over the slump. They had a great run with the Baltimore Orioles and hoped to continue the same when they came to Cincinnati, too. However, instead of cooling off their rough stretch, they melted!

On Tuesday, the Yankees faced a brutal 6-1 loss to the Reds. And they looked out of sorts, not just because of the bats. The team went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine men on base and giving up a golden chance in the eighth inning. Cody Bellinger doubled, Aaron Judge walked, and the tying run stood at the plate.

But what about the big bats? They were silent. Three straight outs later, the threat was over, and so was the game. But Yankees manager Aaron Boone did not throw his players under the bus. Believe it or not, he is blaming the weather!

When asked on Talkin Yanks if the heat played a role, Boone responded, “It really did. I was like, because you know, whatever it was here—93, 94—and when we walked outside, I was like, “I think it’s hotter at home.” And then I’m thinking, can it be hotter than this? It’s brutal.”

Of course, no one seemed to tell Elly De La Cruz that the heat was supposed to slow him down. The 22-year-old shortstop put on a great show, and on a night when MVPs were on the field, he stole the spotlight. However, no matter what Boone says, no mojo could spark the Yankees’ offense. The numbers over the last two weeks are simply ugly. 167 average with runners in scoring position, .222 with men on base, and a strikeout rate near 30%.

Even Judge, who homered again, couldn’t save the Yanks this time. He admitted, “We had some opportunities, and we just couldn’t capitalize. Got to switch that up.”

Now, maybe it was the heat, or maybe the Yankees are starting to feel the pressure. Plus, in 162 games, a little slump somewhere can be expected. Either way, if they want to stay on top of the AL East, they will need more than heat to keep them from burning out. Because if the Yankees were feeling the burn in Cincinnati, things are not much cooler back home. The Mets were sweating it out badly, too—only they had a plan in place.

While the New York Yankees sweat it out, the Mets outsmart the NYC heatwave

With an extreme heat warning issued across the city, the New York Mets made some smart adjustments ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Braves. Reporting times were pushed back. Batting practice was also trimmed. And inside the clubhouse, a video screen yelled, Drink water! 

Carlos Mendoza summed it up best. “I know our group will continue to provide information and education to the players, as far as staying hydrated and things like that. It’s that part of the year now where you’re going to be playing under weather like this, so we’ll act accordingly and we’ll have the guys ready to go.”

Even Citi Field itself tried to keep up. Fans were given access to designated cooling zones. Including the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Ice packs were made available at all assistance stations. Because when it’s pushing 90 before the first pitch, it’s a sauna everyone is in.

And what’s worse is that the heat is not taking a break.

The forecast further is a sizzling 99 degrees at Flushing. This is also when Montas is set to make his season debut. But he is prepped. “Just try to stay hydrated. Trying to get quick outs, trying to not have a high pitch count, and just trying to work quick.” Smart move, right?

With the National Weather Service’s extreme heat warning still in effect, the last thing Montas or the Mets want is a marathon outing! It’s all about survival now, and everyone is battling against the sun!