Aaron Judge and his postseason slump has been well-documented not just for this year but for the entirety of his major league career. His October numbers are not even remotely close to his regular season heroics. That missing factor has always undermined Judge’s legacy as an emerging Yankee great.
Having said that, amid a home run drought, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge was indirectly disrespected by Cleveland Guardians pitching staff during the recently concluded Game 2 of the AL Championship Series. However, Judge refused to take it to heart by heaping praise on his teammate Juan Soto.
Juan Soto Bizarrely Walked By Guardians Amid Aaron Judge’s Flunk
In Game 2 of the ALCS, the New York Yankees’ 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians took an unusual turn when Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made a bold decision to intentionally walk Juan Soto with the bases loaded to pitch to captain Aaron Judge. With the Yankees already leading 2-0 in the second inning and runners on second and third, Vogt gambled by pulling starter Tanner Bibee and going to reliever Cade Smith, hoping for a double play from Judge, who had been struggling at the plate. Meanwhile, Judge, despite entering the game in a slump (2-for-15 with one RBI in the postseason), managed to hit a sac fly, extending the team’s lead to 3-0.
Having said that, the decision to walk Juan Soto was surprising, as he had been performing well, going 6-for-17 with a home run in the playoffs and hitting a single earlier in the game. Yet, Aaron Judge’s teammates and manager understood the logic behind the unconventional choice. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged it was a “pick your poison” situation, while Anthony Rizzo praised Vogt’s boldness, though noting he personally wouldn’t have made that decision. Judge, who had been intentionally pitched to with the bases loaded only twice before, including once earlier in the 2024 season against the White Sox, wasn’t fazed by the move. In fact, he agreed with it, stating, “I’d walk [Soto] too at this point.” Also, Judge later delivered a more impactful moment, hitting his first home run of the 2024 postseason in the seventh inning, securing the Yankees’ lead and further boosting his confidence.
MVP Chants Reignited As Judge Breaks Out Of Slump
Desperate and worried Yankee fans erupted with excitement during Game 2 of the ALCS when Aaron Judge snapped out of his postseason slump with a powerful two-run homer. This moment came in the seventh inning and marked Judge’s first home run of the 2024 playoffs, helping the team extend their lead against the Cleveland Guardians to 6-3.
Before this pivotal hit, Aaron Judge had been struggling, going just 2-for-15 in the postseason with one RBI, leaving fans concerned about his performance. However, with his 58 regular-season home runs and his MVP-caliber play, the pressure was high for Judge to deliver. His timely blast reassured fans, with many expressing their excitement on social media, declaring, “MVP is back.”
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