Aaron Judge ‘in great spot’ to rule postseason, predicts Yankees’ coach

Friday October 4, 2024

Aaron Judge’s postseason struggles stand in stark contrast to his regular-season dominance. His last notable playoff performance came in 2018 when he posted a stellar 1.194 OPS against the Red Sox, despite the Yankees being eliminated. However, in his most recent postseason appearance during the 2022 ALCS against Houston, Aaron Judge managed only 1 hit in 16 at-bats after a record-setting home run season.

However, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson is confident in Aaron Judge’s current form. He predicted that the slugger was in “a great spot” this season thanks to his impressive consistency and this could result in him dominating opponents this October.

“Obviously, anybody [can have] tough days in this game, but his season speaks for itself,’’ he remarked on Thursday. “What he was able to do this year, we haven’t seen — maybe — from a right-handed hitter in the history of the game. I love where he’s at.”

According to Rowson, Aaron Judge’s approach at the plate is as strong as it’s ever been. The coach highlighted the captain’s historical achievements as a right-handed hitter and emphasized his focus on the ultimate prize—winning a World Series.

“He’s been motivated from Day 1,” Rowson told about Aaron Judge, “He looks forward to the postseason and anyone who knows Judge knows he stays focused on the day, but he has a goal in mind. The goal is to win a World Series. I think this is gonna be a solid postseason for him, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Yankees' Aaron Judge reacts to a curtain call at Yankee Stadium on August 26, 2024. — NYY

Is Aaron Judge ready to topple the Royals?

The upcoming ALDS against Kansas City, starting Saturday at Yankee Stadium, offers Aaron Judge a chance to reclaim his postseason form. While the Royals finished with a modest 86 wins and have limited star power beyond Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, they still pose a threat to the slugger, who is coming off another MVP-caliber season.

A key factor will be Kansas City’s Game 1 starter, right-hander Michael Wacha. At 33, Wacha has been particularly effective against Aaron Judge. In their previous matchups, he has managed just 1 hit in 18 at-bats, with 3 walks and 11 strikeouts. Judge’s .246 OPS against Wacha is his lowest against any pitcher he’s faced more than 16 times.

When asked about Aaron Judge’s struggles against Wacha, Yankees manager Aaron Boone downplayed the significance of the small sample size, expressing confidence that his star slugger could rise to the occasion against any opponent.

“I’ll still take my chances,’’ Boone said about the contest between the two. “Chalk it up to a small sample. I’ll take Aaron Judge against just about anyone on any day.”

The Yankees’ recent offensive woes in the playoffs add extra pressure to Aaron Judge’s performance. New York hasn’t scored more than five runs in a playoff game since Game 1 of the 2020 ALDS against the Rays, a streak that now spans 15 games. His production will be key to breaking that slump and advancing past Kansas City in the series.

Michael Wacha, a seasoned postseason pitcher, made headlines during his standout 2013 playoff run with the Cardinals, despite a rough Game 6. However, his recent playoff performances have been less stellar, surrendering 19 earned runs and six home runs over just 11 innings in his last four outings. Wacha last faced the Yankees in May 2023, where Aaron Judge managed one hit in four at-bats.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a two-run designated hitter during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Seattle. — AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

Compounding the Yankees’ challenge is Seth Lugo, another possible starter for the Royals in the series. Lugo has consistently held Aaron Judge in check, keeping him hitless in eight at-bats with three strikeouts.

Despite these daunting matchups, the Yankees remain confident in Aaron Judge, whose extraordinary 2024 season included 58 home runs, showcasing what many believe to be an even more refined approach than his 62-homer performance in the 2022 year. The slugger wrapped up the regular season by homering in five straight games, though he struck out five times in the final game on September 28, a season-high for him.

General manager Brian Cashman echoed this sentiment, calling Aaron Judge’s performance “superhuman” and expressing optimism that this could finally be the postseason where the superstar slugger leads the Yankees to a championship, a goal that has eluded them during his tenure.

As the Yankees prepare for the playoffs, the hope is that Aaron Judge’s regular-season dominance will carry over into October, propelling the team to their first World Series title with him as the franchise cornerstone.

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