The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yankees hope Bronx gives Judge a jolt
New York, in an 0-2 hole, needs rookie slugger to get going.
The House That Ruth Built is long gone. But the Yankee Stadium that now stands across 161st street, its foundation laid by Derek Jeter, has become a shrine to Aaron Judge, complete with his own right field cheering section (The Judge’s Chambers) and the gavel-smacking “All Rise!” that bellows for each of his at-bats.
If there is a comfort zone for Judge, it is here. And as the Yankees prepare to dig themselves out of another 0-2 hole, starting with Monday night’s Game 3 against the Astros, they also must hope the Bronx can trigger something in the misfiring Judge, who has been a significantly more dangerous hitter at home this year.
During the regular season, Judge batted .312 with 33 home runs, 68 RBIs and a 1.165 OPS during his 77 games in the Bronx. In 78 road games, those numbers dipped to .256, 19, 46 and .935, respectively. Obviously, Yankee Stadium is a hitter-friendly park, with the ridiculously short porch in right. But it’s not like Judge needs the help.
If you check the spray charts, Judge had enough distance on most of his home runs to clear any fence, in any stadium. And while he does have power to all fields, this is not a case where he’s been sneaking cheap shots inside the foul poles. When Judge hits them, they go. Period.
It could be a situation where Judge, as a 25-year-old rookie, does feel more secure in the Bronx, and maybe the opposing pitchers are more on edge, given the threatening nature of their surroundings. They also might make more mistakes to him. For anyone who has been in the building when the “M-V-P!” chants start booming for Judge, there can be an adrenaline boost as well. Perhaps its a combination of all these factors, and the Yankees will be calling on that mojo to revive Judge, because Joe Girardi has shown no intention of making any drastic moves with his lineup card.
Judge has held down the No. 2 spot during these playoffs, after batting .327 with a 1.291 OPS there in 28 regular-season games, but the production has disappeared since going 2-for-4 with a homer and three runs scored in the Oct. 3 wild-card victory over the Twins.
Since that night in the Bronx, Judge is 2-for-27 (.074) with zero homers, two RBIs, one run scored, five walks and 19 strikeouts in seven games.
Despite having Judge in a freefall, Girardi is staying the course, like he did during his August slump. But the manager doesn’t have the luxury of time here. The Yankees are two losses away from winter vacation, and if Judge doesn’t wake up Monday, it will be more difficult to avoid that fate. Girardi just doesn’t have any other options besides crossing his fingers for both Judge and the struggling Gary Sanchez.
“I think they’re seeing a lot of good pitching,” Girardi said. “They’re making pitches on these kids. And maybe are they trying a little bit too hard? Yeah, of course. But I think everyone out there is probably trying a little bit too hard.”
Some credit goes to the advance scouting done before the postseason. Indians manager Terry Francona made a telling statement before the Division Series when he divulged that his staff “had spent a lot of time” analyzing Judge on the eve of Game 1. Judge had one hit (RBI double) and whiffed 16 times.
That futility has continued against the Astros. When Judge makes contact, it’s now considered a small victory. But like Girardi mentioned, he’s also faced two former Cy Young winners in Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander.