Judge Continues To Struggle In The Postseason
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Matthew Kennedy
After winning Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals in exciting fashion, the Yankees failed to bring the same energy in Game 2, losing 4-2. Powered by four singles from Maikel Garcia, a four-run rally in the fourth inning ignited by a Salvador Perez moonshot, and some gritty bullpen work, Kansas City managed to secure a win and tie the series at one game apiece.
On the mound, Carlos Rodon started strong, striking out the side in the first inning and keeping the struggling Royals offense scoreless through three innings. However, he faltered in the fourth, allowing four runs as the Royals went 4-for-5 against his previously unhittable slider.
While the Yankees’ pitching has been shaky to start October, New York’s biggest struggles have come from their lack of situational hitting. The offense has stranded 19 runners and is batting just .158 with runners in scoring position in the series. Despite their Game 1 win, the Bombers’ chances of advancing look far more uncertain than expected against a team that had the worst offense in September.
Likely MVP runner-up, Bobby Witt Jr., is 0-for-10 in the series, but the Royals have received timely contributions from two late-season acquisitions: 40-year-old postseason vet, Yuli Gurriel, and Tommy Pham.
With Kansas City’s esteemed rotation lightly used through two games, and Witt’s incredible track record at his home field, the Yankees have multiple reasons to worry. However, New York’s skipper, Aaron Boone, remains confident in his team, saying, “I think that’s been a hallmark of our success. Especially after some difficult ones, whether we’ve won or lost something late or just taken a tough gut punch. These guys are really confident, and understandably so, and we’ll be ready to go in game 3.”
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