New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge Nears Playoff Breakthrough

New York Yankees: Judge on the Brink of Playoff Success

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The ball screamed off the bat. New York Yankees star Aaron Judge had torn into the pitch from Royals starting pitcher. The radar gun tracked the line drive at 114.2 mph — the fourth hardest-hit ball of the playoffs this year, according to Statcast. As it zoomed through the infield, Adalberto Mondesi — perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the American League — reached across his body and over his head and snared it for the final out of the first inning. For Judge, bad luck had struck even harder than he had swung.

Yet, for the Yankees, it was a sign that Judge seemed so close to being the playoff hero they need him to be, even if he once again went hitless as they won, 3-2, in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium. With the win, the Yankees went ahead, 2-1, in the best-of-five series. They’ll have a chance to end the Royals’ season Thursday night. It would be a good time for Judge to bust out of his postseason slump — one that extends throughout much of his illustrious career.

Judge didn’t want to pat himself on the back for going 0-for-4 with a walk — despite hitting several balls hard — to give himself a .091 batting average (1-for-11) with three walks so far in the division series. “I didn’t get any hits,” he said. “So, it’s not feeling too good. But, no, we’re right where we need to be.”