The New York Yankees are struggling once again as playoff time approaches. Since the beginning of August, the team’s record is 18-18, among the league’s worst. They have lost key games that come playoff time could be crucial to having home-field advantage.
On top of the Yankees’ struggles is Aaron Judge, the team’s captain and one of the American League MVP favorites. Until August, his season was one of the best of all time, and he was on pace to break the home run record he set in 2022, but he has been in a slump that is close to his worst ever.
Is Aaron Judge Slumping at the Worst Possible Time?
After a strong start to the season, Judge has now gone 13 games without a home run, drawing comparisons to his late-season struggles in previous years. The timing of this decline is troubling for the Yankees, who rely heavily on Judge’s performance to secure their postseason spot.
Can Aaron Judge Bounce Back Before the Playoffs?
The Yankees have options to alleviate some of the pressure on Judge. With the recent arrival of Jasson Dominguez, the team could give Judge more time as a designated hitter.
This could help him regain his strength and focus just in time for the critical postseason games. The team needs Judge to return to form if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Is Aaron Judge Still the MVP Favorite?
Despite his struggles, Aaron Judge remains a strong contender for the American League MVP award, with 51 home runs this season.
However, the competition is heating up, particularly from Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. He is leading the majors in batting average and has 30 home runs, making the AL MVP race tighter than ever.
What is the Paw Patrol Jinx?
On August 26, Aaron Judge made headlines when he starred in an episode of the popular children’s TV show Paw Patrol.
In the episode, the Yankees captain and proud dog dad helped the pups build a ballpark and ended up hitting a home run. Funnily enough, that is the last home run he has hit since the episode aired.
Aaron Judge’s late-season slump is causing concern for both his MVP chances and the Yankees’ playoff hopes. With just weeks before the postseason, Judge should overcome his struggles to help lead the Yankees to success. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching to see if the Yankees captain can regain his throne before it’s too late.