The New York Yankees find themselves in a precarious position, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in the World Series after a 4-2 loss in Game 2. While the team searches for answers, the spotlight shines brightly on their superstar slugger, Aaron Judge, whose postseason woes have become a central narrative in the Yankees’ quest for a championship.
Judge’s October Struggles Continue
In Game 2, Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, a performance that has become all too familiar for the presumptive American League MVP. Throughout the postseason, Judge has managed just a .150 batting average with 19 strikeouts in 50 plate appearances, a stark contrast to his historic regular season.
When we’re going well, we can usually fire on that.
– Aaron Judge on missing a hittable 2-0 fastball
Expanding the Strike Zone
Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes Judge’s struggles stem from expanding his strike zone and not putting himself in a position to make good swing decisions. In other words, his timing is off. Judge acknowledges that he’s “getting close” to correcting his mechanics, drawing comparisons to his early-season slump.
Teammates Rally Behind Their Leader
Despite Judge’s struggles, his teammates remain confident in his ability to turn things around. Right fielder Juan Soto, who homered in Game 2, believes it will only take one at-bat to get Judge going. Third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. echoes this sentiment, attributing some of the team’s collective anxiety to playing in their first World Series.
I feel like when we get home, he’s going to feel more confident and he’s going to calm down a little bit more going into a home crowd.
– Jazz Chisholm Jr. on Aaron Judge
Stanton and Soto Carry the Load
While Judge searches for his postseason rhythm, teammates Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto have been the driving force behind the Yankees’ October run. Stanton has blasted six home runs with a 1.098 OPS, while Soto is batting .350 with four homers and a 1.160 OPS.
- Giancarlo Stanton: .098 OPS, 6 HR
- Juan Soto: .350 BA, 1.160 OPS, 4 HR
The Road Ahead
As the series shifts to New York for Games 3, 4, and 5, the Yankees are hoping that a return to the familiar confines of Yankee Stadium will help Judge rediscover his swing. The team’s championship aspirations depend on their superstar slugger finding his form and delivering the clutch hits that have eluded him thus far.
He’s going to help us win some games here.
– Giancarlo Stanton on Aaron Judge
The baseball world will be watching closely as Aaron Judge steps into the batter’s box in Game 3, eager to see if the slugger can shake off his postseason demons and lead the Yankees back from the brink. With the team’s season hanging in the balance, the time for Judge to deliver is now.
Despite Judge’s struggles, his teammates remain confident in his ability to turn things around. Right fielder Juan Soto, who homered in Game 2, believes it will only take one at-bat to get Judge going. Third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. echoes this sentiment, attributing some of the team’s collective anxiety to playing in their first World Series.
I feel like when we get home, he’s going to feel more confident and he’s going to calm down a little bit more going into a home crowd.
– Jazz Chisholm Jr. on Aaron Judge
Stanton and Soto Carry the Load
While Judge searches for his postseason rhythm, teammates Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto have been the driving force behind the Yankees’ October run. Stanton has blasted six home runs with a 1.098 OPS, while Soto is batting .350 with four homers and a 1.160 OPS.
- Giancarlo Stanton: .098 OPS, 6 HR
- Juan Soto: .350 BA, 1.160 OPS, 4 HR
The Road Ahead
As the series shifts to New York for Games 3, 4, and 5, the Yankees are hoping that a return to the familiar confines of Yankee Stadium will help Judge rediscover his swing. The team’s championship aspirations depend on their superstar slugger finding his form and delivering the clutch hits that have eluded him thus far.
He’s going to help us win some games here.
– Giancarlo Stanton on Aaron Judge
The baseball world will be watching closely as Aaron Judge steps into the batter’s box in Game 3, eager to see if the slugger can shake off his postseason demons and lead the Yankees back from the brink. With the team’s season hanging in the balance, the time for Judge to deliver is now.
