KANSAS CITY — The ball screamed off the bat. New York Yankees star Aaron Judge had torn into the pitch from Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo. The radar gun tracked the line drive at 114.2 mph — the fourth hardest-hit ball of the playoffs this year, according to MLB’s Statcast.
As it zoomed through the infield, Bobby Witt Jr. — perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the American League — reached across his body and over his head and he snared it for the final out of the first inning. For Judge, bad luck had struck even harder than he had swung.
Yet, for the Yankees, it was a sign that Judge seemed so close to being the playoff hero that they need him to be, even if he once again went hitless as they won, 3-2, in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
With the win, the Yankees went ahead, 2-1, in the best-of-five series. They’ll have a chance to end the Royals’ season on Thursday night.
It would be a good time for Judge to bust out of his postseason slump — one that extends throughout much of his illustrious career.
Judge didn’t want to pat himself on the back for going 0-for-4 with a walk — despite hitting several balls hard — to give himself a .091 batting average (1-for-11) with three walks so far in the division series.
“I didn’t get any hits,” he said. “So, it’s not feeling too good. “But, no, we’re right where we need to be.”
“We’re right where we need to be.”
Aaron Judge talks about his at-bats, Giancarlo Stanton’s impact, and Luke Weaver after Game 3 ALDS win. pic.twitter.com/DIUnIzInhv
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 10, 2024
Judge helped carry the Yankees during the regular season, leading the sport in home runs (58) and RBIs (144) while also hitting .322. He’s likely to be the overwhelming pick to win his second AL MVP award.
Hitting coach James Rowson said that Judge’s swing looked better than it had in a while in pregame work and during the game.
“I thought his at-bats were great (Wednesday),” Rowson said. “I thought he showed up. Even in his (batting practice) earlier, you started seeing him hit the ball the right away. You started seeing the ball spin a little bit. Felt like his swings in the game were really good. Just missed a couple of balls today. I feel like he’s in a good spot. We know with Judgey, it’s any moment, man. Because I don’t think he’s far in general. I think his swings are getting closer to being what we’re accustomed to seeing here.”
Judge’s lone strikeout on Wednesday came on a questionable call. He tried to check his swing on a full-count slider from reliever Brady Singer that was low and outside with two outs in the seventh inning. The score was tied at 2-2 and Juan Soto was on first base.
But first base umpire and crew chief Mark Carlson determined that Judge had swung, even though Judge was so sure he didn’t that he flipped his bat toward the Yankees’ dugout as if he assumed he had drawn a walk.
“They missed that call,” Soto said.
On Wednesday, the Yankees’ other mighty slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, buoyed them with three hits, including a double and the go-ahead solo shot in the eighth inning. He had entered the night in a slump, having just one hit in his first eight at-bats over the first two games of the series.
Stanton felt like it was just a matter of time for Judge.
“He’s definitely going to do damage,” Stanton said. “It’s only a matter of time. He’s had good at-bats. So, yeah, it’ll come when we need him most.”
“Honestly,” left fielder Alex Verdugo said, “I know he didn’t get any hits today, but his swings are much better. The quality of contact. He literally just missed three balls probably by a smidge of a hair. Honestly, he’s in a good spot. His last five (or) six at-bats have been really good and I’m expecting him to do what he does.”
But Judge’s postseason resume has been the only knock against him as he makes his case for the Hall of Fame. In 47 games, he’s hit 13 home runs with a .203 batting average and a .748 OPS.
“I don’t think I ever have a doubt about that guy,” right fielder Juan Soto said. “He’s been showing it all year long. He’s been proving that he’s one of the best. Why (would I) doubt him when a guy can do all that stuff? We have his back and he’s going to have his days. Whenever he gets hot, it’s going to be really fun.”
Judge was asked if he thought Game 4 would finally be his night. The Yankees’ captain deflected.
“Every night is our night,” he said.
(Top photo of Aaron Judge: Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
