Pedro Martinez drops obvious Yankees’ Aaron Judge truth bomb

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Pedro Martinez drops obvious Yankees’ Aaron Judge truth bomb

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Josh Davis, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jun 30, 2026 8:38 PM ET

The New York Yankees are facing an uncomfortable reality without superstar slugger Aaron Judge, and Boston Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez put it plainly Tuesday as the offense continued to look far different without its captain in the lineup.

With Judge absent from the middle of the order, opponents have attacked the Yankees’ offense differently. Pitchers have more freedom to challenge the rest of the lineup, especially with left-handed matchups causing problems during a stretch in which the club has gone 6-9 over its last 15 games.

The pattern has become harder to ignore. The Red Sox took advantage of it during a four-game sweep over the past weekend, and the Detroit Tigers appeared to follow a similar plan behind Tarik Skubal in Monday night’s 7-3 series-opening win over the Yankees, leaving New York to navigate another game without the lineup’s most important bat.

Martinez took to his X, formerly Twitter, and pointed to the difference he sees without Judge anchoring the offense.

“Yankees: They’re missing Aaron Judge. Missing his presence in the lineup. I saw Ben Rice who looked different than before. They struggled with the lefties… They looked flat and lost and the Red Sox took advantage of that. #mlbontbs”

Yankees: They’re missing Aaron Judge. Missing his presence in the lineup. I saw Ben Rice who looked different than before. They struggled with the lefties… They looked flat and lost and the Red Sox took advantage of that. #mlbontbs

— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) June 30, 2026

The most notable part of Martinez’s assessment involved Ben Rice. Martinez previously viewed Rice as a potential breakout bat, but the young hitter is now seeing tougher looks with Judge unavailable to protect the lineup.

This is why the Yankees’ offense has felt thinner. Judge provides more than power. His absence changes the structure of the order. He changes how pitchers work, extends pressure across the order, and forces opponents into tougher choices. Without him, young hitters and supporting bats have less margin for error.

The Yankees still have enough talent to steady themselves, but the Hall of Famer identified a flaw opponents will continue to test until the three-time AL MVP returns. For New York, this stretch is more than a temporary dip. It is another reminder that Judge remains the offense’s central force.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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