"I'll hit the strike." Judge's Blame, Tired of Worst World Series...HOME-RBI-SHOCKING OPS WITHOUT SCORE

Oct 28, 2024

New York Yankees Aaron Judge is regretful after striking out in the fifth inning in Game 2 of the World Series on the 27th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is sluggish in the World Series.

Judge went 1 for 9 until Game 2. In the first game, he had one hit in five at-bats, and in the second game, he had no hit in four at-bats. In two games, he had no home runs, RBIs, runs, and walks, and struck out six times. In particular, the OPS is only 0.222.

His overall performance in this post season is 0.150, two homers, six RBIs, six runs scored, and an OPS of 0.325. He has no hits in 10 at-bats for a scoring position. There is no two league integration that has reserved regular season MVP anywhere. Judge hit a career high this year with a 0.322 batting average, 58 homers, 144 RBIs and an OPS of 1.159. The batting average, RBI, Ruta (392), OPS, OPS+ (223), and bWAR (10.8) are higher than in 2022 when they hit 62 home runs.

But why can't Judge avoid his slump in this postseason. In fact, Judge did not stand out much in the previous postseason. He has a batting average of 0199, 15 homers, 31 RBIs and an OPS of 0.740 in 55 postseason games.

Judge is said to have met Derek Jeter, a Yankees legend and dubbed the 「Forever Captain」, in the hallway in front of the locker room ahead of Game 1 of the World Series. At the time, he said "What we want is not just the World Series stage. Winning the championship..." said Judge, nodding his head. This scene was captured on FOX broadcast screen.

Aaron Judge celebrates with Juan Soto, who hit a home run in the third inning in Game 2 of the World Series. EPA Yonhap News

In an interview with MLB.com , Judge said "Obviously it has to be better than it is now. I have to do my part. The other players here are doing their bit and getting on base. I have to help them, but I'm ruining it. We need to change the mood now"He blamed himself.

With Judge's bat silent, the Yankees gave up both the first and second games. Of course, it is not entirely Judge's responsibility, but Judge's presence is too insignificant in that the Dodgers hit hard by key hitters such as Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.

As Judge was silent, the burden on Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stant increased too much. Soto is about "one at-bats. I know it's very hard. But Judge is the best hitter. I think it's just one at-bat to find normal condition"I cheered for Judge.

Judge has suffered the same slump as he has at the beginning of this season. He had a batting average of only 0.197 in 33 games through May 3. Still, he hit six home runs, and his OPS was 0.725, higher than the league average. Manager Aaron Boone said, `I want Judge to get his own results. I hope the bat gets hot again and does its part. I feel like I'm going to do that. That's what it is right now. ` he urged her to step up.

Judge found a sense of hitting by hitting home runs in succession in games 2 and 3 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, but quickly returned to silent mode. He is often deceived by handouts.

Judge said "I'm trying to do well rather than let the game come to me. (Leadoff Glaver) Torres and (No. 2 Juan) Soto are on base, so I have to do my bit"But if it's not a ball coming into the strike zone, you have to pick the ball and walk out instead. It's a simple and simple reason. You have to let him swing on strikes."