"I gotta start swinging at strikes"- Aaron Judge reflects on postseason slump after Yankees' tough World Series Game 2 loss against Dodgers
The New York Yankees are 2-0 down to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, and the lack of offensive production from Aaron Judge has been a massive blow to the team. The Yankees captain has struggled mightily with the bat during this postseason. He believes he will need to show greater composure and plate discipline to end his ongoing slump.
Aaron Judge is the unanimous favorite to win his second American League MVP this year after smashing more than 50 home runs for the third time in his career. However, he has been a shadow of his usual self in the postseason despite the Yankees clinching their first pennant in 15 years. His slump deepened during the Fall Classic after failing to make an impact in the first two games.
The Yankees lost 4-2 at Dodger Stadium in Game 2 of the World Series this Sunday night, while Aaron Judge had another underwhelming performance. Judge shared his perspective on why he has been struggling with the bat during the playoffs while speaking to reporters after the game.
"You should be locked in on your [strike] zone," Judge said. "At times you just want to make things happen instead of letting the game come to you. I think that's what it really comes down to.
"You see Gleyber [Torres] out there getting on base, Juan [Soto] is getting on base doing things, you want to make thinngs happen" he added. "But if you are not going to get a pitch in the zone, you got to just take your walks. Plain and simple, I gotta start swinging at strikes."
Thus far, Aaron Judge has batted .150/.280/.325 in this postseason run along with an OPS of .605. He has managed only one hit in the first two games of the World Series while striking out on six occasions.
"I've got to step up": Aaron Judge
The Los Angeles Dodgers have outplayed the New York Yankees in the opening two games of the World Series due to their superior offensive production. Aaron Judge said he has to improve his performance to provide the boost the Yankees desperately need, as the Dodgers will have their tails up when they come to the Big Apple for the next phase of the Fall Classic.
"We have been through a lot of adversity through 162 [games in the regular season] and this postseason," Judge said. "The Dodgers are going to step up. They are going to do what they do. I've got to step up as well.
"Especially with Gleyber and Juan batting one and two in the lineup," he added. "I got to back them up. If they get on base, I have got to drop [the ball] in and move them over."
The Yankees are looking to avoid getting swept in the World Series for the first time since they lost 4-0 to the Dodgers in 1963.