New York — As the postseason commences, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge faces a critical opportunity to reestablish his prowess in high-stakes games, beginning Saturday in the Bronx. After a regular season crowded with accolades and record-breaking performances, the spotlight turns to Judge’s ability to carry his success into the playoffs, starting with the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.
Despite the Royals’ modest 86-win season which barely secured them a wild-card berth, the team features notable players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez. The Yankees, conversant with postseason pressures, anticipate formidable challenges ahead, not just from star adversaries but from a matchup that historically hasn’t been in Judge’s favor.
Kansas City’s probable Game 1 starter, Michael Wacha, has particularly stymied Judge over the years. Holding an impressive record against the Yankee outfielder—who boasts merely one hit and 11 strikeouts in 18 at-bats against Wacha—Kansas City’s pitching strategy could pivot significantly on this matchup. Judge’s struggles with Wacha encapsulate a broader postseason challenge, demanding a rebound from his 1-for-16 performance in last year’s ALCS against Houston.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, on a recent call, expressed unshaken confidence in Judge’s capabilities despite these disappointing statistics: “I’ll still take my chances,’’ Boone stated. “Chalk it up to a small sample. I’ll take Aaron Judge against just about anyone on any day.”
Wacha brings considerable postseason experience, highlighted by a strong 2013 campaign with the Cardinals, albeit punctuated by a challenging Game 6. More recently, his last postseason outings have been less stellar, surrendering 19 earned runs over 11 innings in his last four playoff appearances. Whether he can regain his previous form could be integral to how the Royals fare in the series.
For the Yankees, generating offense in postseason games has been an ongoing challenge; the team hasn’t scored more than five runs in their last 15 playoff contests since 2020. With Judge finishing the regular season on a high note — hitting home runs in five consecutive games — and despite a challenging game on September 28 where he struck out five times, the team’s expectations remain high.
Yankees hitting coach James Rowson sees Judge in a favorable light heading into the playoffs: “What [Judge] 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.”
The team is focused on more than just statistics; they’re looking for Judge to translate his regular-season heroics into postseason success. General manager Brian Cashman echoed the sentiment, asserting Judge’s performance has been “superhuman.” He emphasized the broader goal of a championship, expressing hope that Judge and his teammates will cement their legacy by adding a World Series title to their achievements.
As the Yankees prepare to face the Royals, all eyes will be on Judge, with fans and baseball pundits alike watching to see if the outfielder can overcome his postseason demons and help lead his team to a coveted World Series victory. The ALDS could set the stage for a defining moment in Judge’s already illustrious career.