The New York Yankees fell 4-2 to the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of their ALDS series on Monday. With the series tied 1-1, the Yankees will have to win effectively a best-of-three series heading to Kauffman Stadium for Games 3 and 4. As the pressure mounts on the AL East Champions, third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said the Royals got “lucky” in Game 2, possibly the quote of the series, depending on who wins. Meanwhile, Yankees hitter Aaron Judge took some of the blame for the loss due to his struggles at bat.
“If I’m not hitting 1.000, I’m not feeling good,” Judge told reporters, via Yankees Videos on X, formerly Twitter. “Just gotta keep getting on base for the guys behind me. If they get on, I gotta drive ’em in.”
Aaron Judge was asked how he's feeling at the plate in the ALDS so far:
"If I'm not hitting 1.000, I'm not feeling good. Just gotta keep getting on base for the guys behind me. If they get on, I gotta drive 'em in" pic.twitter.com/m4ernDrK7h
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 8, 2024
The press also asked Aaron Judge whether the Yankees’ first round bye gave him and the team some timing issues. Perhaps the rest derailed or erased some of the momentum the team generated after winning the American League East.
“I don’t think the bye has anything to do with it,” he answered, via Yankees Videos.
Aaron Judge was asked if his struggles in the ALDS are due to timing issues that come with the bye the Yankees got in the first round:
"I wouldn't say the bye has anything to do with it" pic.twitter.com/WYGTMVrTro
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 8, 2024
Still, Yankees fans might be all too familiar with this old song-and-dance from this team. After dominating the AL East all season long, their sizzling offense suddenly fizzles out in October, their bats suddenly going quiet.
For instance, two seasons ago, the Houston Astros swept the Yankees in the ALCS, mostly because they batted only .162 and scored only nine runs in four games. Moreover, Judge himself has faded in the playoffs before, and this reputation might come back to haunt the team this year.
In two games, Judge is only 1-7 with two walks, his only hit being the infield single in the eighth inning of Game 2. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton is only 1-8, while Juan Soto followed a 3-5 Game 1 with an 0-2 dud.
However, despite losing Game 2 to the Royals, the Yankees remain confident that their offense will soon break out, and they will need it to happen as soon as Wednesday.
Fail to win either Game 3 or Game 4, and the Yankees are at serious risk of a humbling ALDS elimination to the underdog Royals. Yet, Chisholm maintained the team can overcome any adversity in their way.
“I feel like this team is the best to do that. You know, one day we get our butts kicked and the next day we’re kicking butt,” he said, via a report from Anthony McCarron for SNY. “Like, we turn around everything. We never look at anything as a downer.”
Fans better hope Chisholm is right, or else they’ll be in for another long offseason.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!