Aaron Judge concedes ‘failing’ Yankees as teammates still hope for his spark

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Aaron Judge‘s recent postseason struggles came into sharp focus during a pivotal sixth-inning at-bat in Game 2 of the World Series. In the Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, Judge faced a prime opportunity against a 94 mph fastball from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, placed low in the strike zone—a pitch he would usually hammer out of the park. Instead, he let it pass for a called strike.

The at-bat continued to unravel as Judge fouled off a low curveball, another pitch he typically handles well, before ultimately missing on a diving splitter to end the sequence. It marked another in a series of troubling October strikeouts for the Yankees captain, reflecting a postseason slump that has left him unable to replicate the summer power surge that carried the Yankees into the playoffs.

In Game 2, Judge was held hitless in four at-bats, striking out three times, as the Yankees dropped to a 2-0 series deficit. So far, he has one hit in nine World Series at-bats and has fanned six times. His postseason numbers stand at just six hits in 40 at-bats, with a .150 average and 19 strikeouts in 50 plate appearances.

This skid echoes Judge’s postseason difficulties from 2022, when his spectacular 62-home run regular season was followed by a frustrating October performance, drawing boos from Yankees fans. The pattern will continue in 2024.

Judge admits to not up to the expectations

Reflecting on his struggles, Judge emphasized the need for sharper pitch selection and patience, acknowledging that postseason pitching demands a heightened level of discipline. Recognizing the challenge, he spoke about focusing on capitalizing on favorable pitches rather than pressing for big moments, aiming to get his swing back on track as the series progresses.

“I think what it comes down to is just swinging at strikes, getting a pitch to drive,” he said. “You don’t get a pitch to drive, don’t try to make something happen up there. It’s the postseason. Guys are going to make their pitches. They’re going to pitch you tough, so I just got to hunker down and get the job done. That’s what it comes down to and I’m not doing that right now.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone attributed Aaron Judge’s recent struggles to a widening strike zone, which he linked to timing issues impacting the slugger’s pitch selection. While Judge acknowledged these mechanical challenges, he expressed confidence that a solution was within reach.

Judge drew comparisons to his early-season performance, recalling how he struggled through May 2 with a .197/.331/.393 line and 40 strikeouts in 149 plate appearances. He noted how that rocky start gave way to a remarkable 125-game stretch beginning May 3, where he hit .357, blasted 52 homers, and posted a 1.279 OPS to close the regular season.

After Saturday’s loss, Judge reflected on his recent struggles, admitting he hasn’t met his own expectations or those of his teammates who’ve managed to reach base. He acknowledged the need to elevate his game, knowing that more consistent production at the plate would be essential for the Yankees to stay alive in the series.

“I’ve got to step up,” the captain admitted. “I’ve got to do my job. The guys around me are doing their job getting on base and I’m failing them backing them up.”

Judge acknowledged he may be pressing too hard, particularly in moments when teammates like Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto get on base, forcing plays instead of letting his natural game unfold. 

As both teams’ stars step up in this series, the timing of a Judge resurgence feels critical. Soto extended his strong postseason with another home run, while other power players—Stanton, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto—have already delivered signature performances.

While the Dodgers are hopeful about Ohtani’s condition, Judge has his own cautionary experience at Dodger Stadium: a 2023 outfield collision with the wall that had season-altering repercussions for both him and the Yankees.

The urgency for Judge’s return to form now looms large, especially with a potential parallel to last season’s dramatic comeback. Despite the high stakes, Judge remained optimistic, expressing confidence that he’s close to finding his rhythm again, just when his team needs it most.

“At times I think it’s trying to make things happen instead of letting game come to you,” he said. “You see Gleyber [Torres] on base, you see Juan [Soto] on base, you want to get something done. We’ll turn it around in Game 3.”

Yankees pin hopes on Judge’s revival

Juan Soto, who had a standout Game 2 with two hits, including a home run, voiced confidence in Judge’s ability to rebound, suggesting that a single productive at-bat could spark his resurgence.

Yankees hitting coach James Rowson offered further insight, commending Judge’s determination while acknowledging that the pressures of his first World Series appearance might be contributing to overexertion at the plate. Rowson believes the return to Yankee Stadium could provide Judge with a much-needed reset.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., also experiencing his first World Series, echoed this sentiment, recognizing the shared nervous energy of these high-stakes games. He added that playing in front of the home crowd might help Judge settle in, expecting the supportive atmosphere to help him regain his rhythm as the series continues.

Aaron Judge’s recent at-bat struggles show a concerning shift in his swing consistency, with a swing-and-miss rate surging to 54% over the last five games—a stark contrast to his regular-season efficiency. During the regular season, Judge dominated Major League Baseball’s offensive charts, leading in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and wRC+, with a notably lower whiff rate of 31%. His current streak of 13 strikeouts over five games marks his highest strikeout run in a similar span since June 2021.

In the postseason, Judge’s highlights include back-to-back home runs in the American League Championship Series against Cleveland, including a pivotal game-tying shot off Emmanuel Clase in Game 3. Outside of those key moments, he’s contributed one double, three singles, and seven walks across October games.

Meanwhile, teammates Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto have continued to drive the offense. Stanton has powered through the playoffs with six home runs and a 1.098 OPS, while Soto’s crucial home run in ALCS Game 5 sent the Yankees to the World Series. Soto has maintained a .350 average with four homers and a 1.160 OPS during the postseason. Their standout performances have been essential to the Yankees’ postseason success.

As the Yankees aim to secure their first title in over a decade, much of their hopes rest on Judge regaining his usual form, especially in converting favorable counts into hits. The team, including Stanton, remains confident that Judge’s resurgence could make all the difference in their pursuit of a championship.

This season’s unexpected turn seems worlds apart from Aaron Judge’s earlier accomplishments, especially after a regular season highlighted by 58 home runs and periods of unparalleled dominance at the plate. The difference between those peaks and his recent struggles feels like an unsustainable break from form, one that seems bound to correct itself.

A Judge resurgence almost feels inevitable—his return to being one of baseball’s most formidable hitters is crucial, as the alternative could seriously jeopardize the Yankees’ championship goals.

The Yankees now find themselves down 2-0 in the 120th World Series after a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. While daunting, the situation isn’t without hope; the Yankees have rallied from two-game deficits in the previous seven-game series. The Dodgers, despite their advantage and Shohei Ohtani’s injury concerns, have only held serve at home. Now, the series heads to The Bronx, where Yankees fans, eager for a title run after a 15-year wait, will look to make their presence felt.

Judge, expressing confidence about the home-field advantage, knows that fan support is one thing, but keeping that support requires delivering on the field. His return to form is critical for sustaining the crowd’s energy. Prolonged struggles, however, could undermine the Yankees’ chances to extend the series.

Entering Game 2 of the World Series, Aaron Judge’s postseason stats underscored his struggles, posting a .167/.304/.361 slash line with 16 strikeouts over 36 at-bats. Saturday’s game saw a further decline, with Judge going 0-for-4 and striking out three times, including a key ninth-inning at-bat where his teammates had successfully reached base.

This rough stretch contrasts sharply with Judge’s regular-season form, drawing comparisons to his early-season slump through May 2, when he posted a similar .197/.331/.393 line over 33 games before igniting a powerful turnaround.

At this pivotal moment, Aaron Judge’s confidence signals both resolve and urgency. Although his struggles don’t quite call for divine intervention—unlike the famed 1953 plea by Father Herbert Raymond for Dodgers slugger Gil Hodges—fan support could be crucial as the series heads to Yankee Stadium. Raymond, a 44-year-old priest from St. Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn, famously asked his congregation to pray for Hodges’ success after the player’s hitless 21-at-bat streak in the 1952 Series lingered into the following spring. Hodges rebounded soon after, ending his slump.

Judge’s situation may not require such measures, but an electrified Yankee Stadium crowd on Monday could help shift momentum. As fans prepare to welcome him in the lineup introductions and the Bleacher Creatures warm up their signature first-inning chant, the atmosphere promises to be charged with optimism.

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