"Aaron Judge is going to have to be super patient...The Yankees are vulnerable" - HOFer highlights important post-season issue to address for MLB side
MLB analyst Ben Verlander and former MLB pitcher John Smoltz recently talked about how the New York Yankees and Aaron Judge might fare in the postseason. The Yankees currently lead their division, the AL East.
Smoltz played in the big leagues for 21 years, spending a majority of his time with the Atlanta Braves. In a hugely successful career, Smoltz won the NL Cy Young award, the World Series and was voted to the All-Star game eight times. He was also inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame.
On the latest episode of Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander, Smoltz was asked whether he thinks that the pinstripers had what it takes to go all the way, to which he responded (4:58):
"Right now, they're vulnerable, and every team goes through it. They gotta sure up that bullpen, there's no doubt about it, they gotta get somebody hot down there that they can trust. They're trying different combinations and maybe they can have just enough magic at the right time of the year.
"The New York Yankees, for everything they've done good, they're vulnerable in their bullpen right now. That can get cleaned up, they got a month to do it. That makes them very vulnerable come postseason time." (5:28)
Off recent, it has been a regular occurrence for opponents to intentionally walk Aaron Judge to avoid pitching to him, such has been his form this season. Smoltz believes that we are only going to see more of the same in the posteason, with the increased importance of every game (5:10).
"They have enough offensively no doubt. But they're gonna face a different total strategy when it comes to the postseason. Don't think they're going to pitch too often to Mr. Judge, he is going to have to be super patient. The guys behind him are having to drive in runs in many cases."
Aaron Judge hits 49th home run of the season as Yankees win at home
The New York Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies at home on Friday, in what was the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon registered his latest successful outing, keeping the visitors off the board, as the home side needed only three runs to win what was a low-scoring affair.
Captain Aaron Judge added to his exceptional season, scoring his 49th Home Run in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing a comfortable victory for his side. With a .333 batting average (2nd in MLB), 49 home runs (1st in MLB) and 119 RBIs (1st in MLB), it's not surprising that the Yankees' #99 is a favorite for the 2024 AL MVP award.
Next, the Yankees take on the Rockies once again in game two of three at home. Having won their last three games in a row, fans will be hoping that Aaron Judge and Co. can carry forward that momentum and close out another victory on home turf.