Yankees Plagued by Lethargy: Aaron Judge Struggles in ALDS Game 2 Loss to Royals

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees suffered a frustrating defeat as they fell 4-2 to the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the AL Division Series. While the spotlight often shines on Aaron Judge, the team's captain and superstar, this loss cannot solely be pinned on him, as the overall lackluster performance of the offense was evident.

Judge, who has been a monumental presence for the Yankees, is currently battling playoff underperformance. His disappointing outing on Monday — managing just one hit in seven at-bats across the first two postseason games — has brought to light a troubling trend. Over the course of his playoff career, while Judge has delivered spectacular moments in the regular season, he now carries an underwhelming postseason batting average of .208 with a remarkable strikeout rate of 34.3%, the highest in playoff history.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his confidence in Judge but acknowledged the difficulty that comes with the postseason. “Hitting is hard. You're not going to hold him down long,” he noted during the postgame press conference. Despite Judge’s struggles, Boone emphasized, “He's been on base three times in the first two games.”

The Yankees' offense as a whole matched Judge's lethargy. Key players like Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres failed to make an impact, with Torres failing to record a hit in the game, and the only extra-base hit belonging to Jazz Chisholm Jr. during garbage time. The starting pitcher, Carlos Rodón, struggled significantly, managing only 11 outs and failing to provide the strong performance needed in a playoff setting.

The game started promisingly with Rodón’s electrifying first inning, displaying a mix of fastballs and sliders that captivated the home crowd. However, this initial excitement faded rapidly. After allowing a home run to Salvador Pérez in the fourth inning, Rodón’s struggle continued as he was soon pulled from the game after giving up additional hits and runs, handing the Royals a 4-1 lead.

The Yankees attempted a late rally, with Chisholm’s home run in the ninth bringing some hope. As they threatened to strike back against Royals closer Lucas Erceg, Gleyber Torres' ground out sealed the Yankees' fate, resulting in a chorus of disappointment resonating through the stadium.

With Game 3 on the horizon at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, the stakes have never been higher. This will mark the Royals' first home playoff game since their World Series appearance in 2015, adding a sense of urgency to the Yankees' quest for redemption as they prepare to hit the road for the first time in weeks.

October baseball is unforgiving, and the Yankees must rally quickly or face the razor-sharp edge of elimination. Fans are left wondering if Aaron Judge and his teammates can awaken their slumbering offense before it's too late.