NEW YORK — Throughout Aaron Judge’s quest to break Roger Maris’ American League single-season home run record, the YankeesThe bigger picture was always the goal for the slugger. Every plate appearance and pitch he saw was an opportunity to fine-tune his postseason game plan. After one of the greatest offensive seasons in modern history, MLB history, it’s all but assumed Judge will be named the American League MVP, one of two major accomplishments that have eluded him in his career. The World Series title is his other accomplishment.
Judge’s at-bats for the final few weeks of the regular season when he was chasing 61 home runs were a spectacle. Home and road crowds stood up with their cameras pointed at Judge, a 6-foot-7 man standing in a rectangle box holding a piece lumber in their hands and expecting greatness every time he moved. That’s why these first two games in the ALDS against the GuardiansThese were so unexpected. Everything he’s accomplished has led to this, the moment he’s wanted since the Yankees were eliminated in the wild-card game against BostonLast year. Judge has yet to meet the challenge.
Judge is 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts and a walk in a series that’s now 1-1 after the Yankees lost 4-2 on Friday afternoon in 10 innings. Judge’s only fair ball was a groundout in ninth against Guardians All-Star closer.
