NEW YORK — Aaron Judge’s incredibly broad shoulders aren’t the reason for the Yankees’ latest loss.
In a way, none of it really is.
Judge, the home run-hitting, all-conquering captain of this great team, should never be made the scapegoat for a single loss. The Yankees remain where they are and could go where they want, in large part due to Judge’s generational strength. Blaming the golden goose seems somewhat ungrateful and misguided.
But fair or not, the Judge’s poor playoff performance, which followed Monday’s demoralizing 4-2 loss to the Royals in Game 2 of the ALDS, evokes a narrative of laziness and inevitability. After going 1-for-7 at bat so far this fall, Judge’s postseason career has been a disappointing (by his unfathomable standards) slash of .208/.311/.449 in 46 games. He currently holds the highest strikeout rate in playoff history (34.3%).
Questions about whether judges can shine on the biggest stage have gone from whispers to doubts, and that may be foolish.
“I mean, baseball is about hitting. He hit bases and walked in the game,” Yankees captain Aaron Boone said of Judge in the postgame press conference. “I understand that, but it’s hard to hit. I’m not going to hold him for too long.”
For both Boone and Judge, the gig comes with questions. That’s part of it. They understand this reality. The Judge caused chaos at Yankee Stadium many times throughout the spring and summer. He has made history many times. But the AL MVP has yet to deliver his trademark postseason moment or World Series trophy. Until he does, the questions will continue.
Both Boone and Judge know that Judge is just one man, as evidenced by Boone’s irritated and stunned tone during the press conference. Few other Yankees hitters shined on Monday either. Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres were hitless. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s garbage-time home run in the ninth inning was the team’s only extra-base knock of the night. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon had just 11 outs.
Judge’s unforgettable 1-for-3 with a walk didn’t doom the Bombers.
“He’s been on base three times in the first two games,” Boone continued. “It’s not that easy. That’s baseball. Batting is a game of failure. He’s going to get more opportunities and I’ll keep betting on him.”
Aaron Boone on Aaron Judge vs. Royals this season:
“It’s not that easy. It’s baseball. Batting is a game of failure. He’s going to get more chances and I’d keep betting on him.” pic.twitter.com/KPDt8ZNWuN
— Yankees Video (@snyyankees) October 8, 2024
The Yankees got off to a shocking start Monday, but had a sleepy performance.
Rodon started the game with a shocking first inning that excited and excited the crowd. He started by striking out Michael Franco and freezing Kansas City’s third baseman with a knee-high heater. As Franco trudged back to the dugout, a lively Rodon roared off the mound.
The second out came on a high fastball and a rocket-like four-seamer that blew away star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Pushed by the pinstriped faithful, the Yankees starter seemed to nod his head confidently and then yell, “Oh, let’s go.” Go, boys. ” Vinny Pasquantino’s inning-ending punchout, this one with a sneaky slider, got tongues wagging and eyes wide from the fire-throwing starter.
Rodon kept the Royals at bay in the second and third innings, and the Yankees pulled within one run, but a disastrous fourth inning wiped out any momentum. The Yankees’ left-handed pitcher fell behind leadoff hitter Salvador Perez after being hit with two sliders by the All-Star backstop. The next breaking ball was a dull spinner that found the strike zone. Unfortunately for Rodon, the barrel of Perez’s bat and, 5.4 seconds later, the left field seats were also discovered.
“I believe in the pitch and go on offense. I wish I had that mindset,” the embattled starter said after the game. “Of course we want to be better than that.”
Perez circled the bases, flapping his arms like a bird in flight. The long ball was Rodon’s fourth career home run, pushing his career OPS against the southpaw over 1.500. The black-eyed hurler pursed his lips and shook his head in annoyance.
His night was about to get even worse.
After three more hits and two more runs scored, Rodon was ejected from the ball game. He made his first playoff start in pinstripes and totaled 11 outs. Kansas City went out with a 4-1 lead. From there, New York threatened but could not break through. The score didn’t move until Chisholm’s yardage to start his ninth.
The Bahamian’s upper deck shot restored hope to the home crowd’s imagination and cut the lead to two points. Surprise first baseman John Barty singled off Royals closer Lucas Erceg with two outs. This allowed Gleyber Torres to hit the tying run, but the Yankees’ second baseman jumped out to stop the threat and end the game.
A symphony of groans echoed over the first notes of Sinatra’s “New York, New York” as Kansas City players shook hands and exchanged pros and cons.
The series moves to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday. This will be the Royals’ first home playoff game since the 2015 World Series. The Kansas City skyline will provide warm solace for a road-weary Royals team that hasn’t set foot in the City of Fountains since Sept. 22.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have been sleeping in their own beds since that day. After Monday’s game, Judge and his teammates packed their gear into Navy duffels. They set out on tour for the first time in over two weeks.
With Monday’s loss, a return to the Bronx is no longer guaranteed. Danger quickly approaches in October.
