Aaron Judge’s playoff slump deepens, becoming Yankees dynasty killer
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Follow UsIn the eighth inning, Aaron Judge showed a glimmer of improvement with a more disciplined approach at the plate. Facing Ryan Brasier, he initially missed two pitches close to the zone, prompting anxious murmurs from the crowd. Yet he held back on three consecutive sliders outside the strike zone, earning a walk and hinting at a potential adjustment in his approach.
However, October isn’t the time for subtle signs—it’s about delivering results, and Judge’s numbers are falling well short. Despite the promising patience displayed, he reached base just once in four attempts that Monday. Over 13 plate appearances in the World Series, Judge has struggled, with 11 at-bats ending unproductively, including seven strikeouts, bringing his batting average to a troubling .083.
Known as one of the league’s best hitters, Judge has faced an uncharacteristic slump when his team needs him most, tallying just one hit over three disappointing games for the Yankees. In Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Dodgers in the Bronx, his quiet night contributed to a daunting 3-0 series deficit, pushing the Yankees to the edge of elimination.
Judge let down Yankees nation
The Yankees’ offense has struggled mightily, scoring only seven runs across three games, with Judge’s slump a critical factor. If he can’t regain form, this season could be marred by deep slumps on both ends of an otherwise stellar offensive year.
In Game 3, Judge had four plate appearances but failed to capitalize on three of them. His first opportunity came in the opening inning with Gleyber Torres on first, but he couldn’t advance the runner, underscoring the need for him to snap out of his postseason struggles.
The packed Yankee Stadium roared with support, fans on their feet chanting “MVP” for team captain Aaron Judge, yet his recent impatience at the plate told a different story. He struggled against Walker Buehler’s craft, first striking out on a cutter that broke out of the zone, and then lifting a fly ball off a middle-of-the-zone knuckle-curve in the fourth inning.
Another chance came in the sixth with Giancarlo Stanton on first, but Brusdar Graterol induced Judge into a weak grounder back to the mound. Graterol deflected the ball, allowing Tommy Edman to make a clean play at second. Judge’s last at-bat saw him draw a walk, but Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out, leaving him stranded.
Judge’s struggles are no longer isolated incidents but troubling patterns in high-stakes situations. His postseason stats show a .136 average (3-for-22) with runners on base and an 0-for-10 record with six strikeouts in scoring positions. Over 12 playoff games, the likely AL MVP has posted just six hits in 43 at-bats, slumping to a .140 batting average.
This October drought is a stark contrast to Judge’s powerful regular season, where he led the league in OPS (1.159), hammered 58 home runs, and drove in 144 runs. Despite a slow season start—hitting .207 with a .754 OPS through April—he rebounded with five dominant months. Yet, October’s pressure has seemingly worn him down.
Manager Aaron Boone continues to stand by Judge in the third batting slot, despite the dip in performance. Boone’s faith, however, may only last one more game if the Yankees are unable to shift momentum and extend their series.
Judge’s postseason no-show threatens his legacy
When Aaron Judge stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning, Yankee Stadium erupted, as 49,368 fans chanted “MVP” in unison, hoping their star slugger would rediscover his regular-season form. The historic night marked the first World Series game in the Bronx in over 15 years, yet the excitement quickly waned as the Dodgers took an early two-run lead. The crowd held its breath, waiting for a signature Judge moment to ignite the team and shift the game’s energy.
But Judge’s struggles continued, casting a shadow over the team’s chances. Entering with a career postseason average just under .200, the American League’s leading hitter had looked uncharacteristically subdued this October. Many hoped the energy of the Bronx, with its celebratory decor and short right-field wall, might reignite his bat.
Those hopes, however, went unmet. the Yankees captain struck out on an outside cutter in his first at-bat, setting the tone for a frustrating night that saw him go hitless in four tries. The Yankees’ 4-2 loss left them on the verge of a sweep, and Judge’s continued slump stood out as a crucial factor in their deficit.
When asked about Judge’s chances of breaking free from his slump, manager Aaron Boone leaned on his star’s reputation, affirming that the Yankees slugger was “still the player we know him to be.” Yet the numbers painted a harsh reality: across 12 postseason games, Judge had posted a .140 average with just six hits in 44 at-bats. While he contributed two homers, one double, and six RBIs, he also struck out 20 times and went hitless in all 10 attempts with runners in scoring position.
The gap between Aaron Judge’s regular-season dominance and his postseason struggles has become increasingly difficult to reconcile. During the season, he led the American League in numerous categories, including 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, 133 walks, a .458 on-base percentage, and a .701 slugging percentage—statistics that nearly locked in his second MVP title. Yet his October slump could eclipse those achievements if he doesn’t rally in these final games.
In the quiet of the post-game clubhouse, well past midnight, Judge addressed reporters’ questions about whether he felt he’d let his team down. After a reflective pause, he acknowledged his disappointment, admitting he hadn’t met his responsibilities and underscoring his determination to improve.
Still, the Yankees’ challenges don’t rest solely on Judge. Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt added to the team’s woes with a costly pitch to the powerful Freddie Freeman, who connected for a two-run homer that handed the Dodgers an early advantage. Even Giancarlo Stanton, one of the Yankees’ most consistent hitters this postseason, showed signs of fatigue when he was thrown out trying to score from second in the fourth inning.
Aaron Judge’s October performance carries a unique weight, shaping his legacy as the Yankees’ marquee player, particularly given his record-setting contract—a nine-year, $360 million deal he signed in 2022. Judge’s decision to stay with New York stemmed partly from his desire to lead the franchise to its 28th championship, a milestone that has eluded the team since 2009. His postseason results, however, could become the defining mark on his career if he can’t turn things around.
With Judge’s postseason slump deepening, questions have arisen about whether the intense pressure is finally reaching the typically unshakeable 32-year-old slugger. Unlike past seasons, when he rose under pressure to establish himself as one of baseball’s premier hitters, his current struggles are difficult to ignore.
Manager Aaron Boone remains steadfast in his support, voicing confidence in Judge’s resilience and predicting that a breakout performance is near. He expressed certainty that Judge will shine in future postseason series, despite the recent disappointments.
Yet, Judge’s at-bats lately show hints of hesitation that contrast sharply with his regular-season poise. The Yankees faithful, eager to support their MVP candidate, celebrated his achievements, hoping for a pivotal moment that never materialized. As the series continues, the tone from the Bronx crowd could shift, as Judge’s performance will play a pivotal role in determining how they ultimately remember his contributions.
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- Categories: aaron judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, World Series
- Tags: aaron judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, World Series
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