It’s tough to see someone like Aaron Judge struggle in the playoffs, especially in his first World Series game. This is a player who’s known for his other-worldly talent, yet the postseason has often been a challenge for him. Fans had high hopes, but his performance in Game 1 mirrored some of those earlier October disappointments. Coming into the game with a 5-for-31 record and 13 strikeouts, it’s clear he’s feeling the pressure. But true to his character, Judge remained positive in his post-game interview. He acknowledged how hard the loss was but emphasized that they can only learn from it and need to get back to work.  

Dave Roberts made a key move, bringing in Blake Treinen, and the Dodgers’ closer delivered. Judge popped up to short, ending the threat and keeping the game tied. It was a missed opportunity, especially with the Dodgers ultimately clinching the win with Freddie Freeman’s dramatic grand slam in the 10th. In a postgame interview, one of the reporters asked him if this was business as usual trying to bounce back after a loss, to which, his response was: “That’s all you can do, we can’t sit here and mope, you can’t sit here and complain”.

Aaron Judge had a prime chance to reshape his playoff narrative during a pivotal moment in Game 1 of the World Series. With Gleyber Torres on second and two outs in the top of the ninth, the Dodgers chose to intentionally walk Juan Soto, setting the stage for Judge to make a statement. You could feel the weight of that moment for Judge—it was his chance to step up, and he came up short. How do you think this will affect him moving forward? Will he be able to shake off that disappointment and come back strong in the next game? 

Potential changes in the Yankees lineup that may help Aaron Judge and others

Sometimes, a shake-up is exactly what’s needed, but it’s never easy to consider dropping a superstar like Aaron Judge in the lineup. As we’ve seen before, it might be beneficial to take a step back and relieve some of the strain on a player who is having trouble. For him, the cleaning area can be a nice location. He can still drive in runs without having to shoulder the extra responsibility of being the lead-off guy, right? 

With Soto drawing his deliberate walk, the performance in Game 1 was just mind-blowing. It hasn’t clicked yet, even though you would think Judge would step up in such a significant situation. This postseason, Giancarlo Stanton has been an absolute beast – so, it could be a prime time to take advantage of the momentum he’s building as he hits home runs one after another. Stanton could maintain that fire while Judge relieves some of the load if he lowers to cleanup. 

In the postseason, Soto and Stanton have really come through to create a formidable team. Stanton’s home run was a tremendous hit, just the type of lift of momentum you need in October. They’ve been boosting each other’s energy since Soto got on base, and it’s like the perfect storm. The Yankees’ game may be drastically altered if Stanton continues to play well and Judge is able to settle in a bit lower in the lineup.

Do you believe the club can succeed in the playoffs with this pair, or Aaron Judge needs to go back to his best? Share your take in the comments below.