The season will conclude for many teams at the end of the league stage. The list will potentially include the name of the New York Yankees for their worst run in years. But given they have the second-highest spending payroll, it makes one feel the season should have been better. However, given the injuries, especially to Aaron Judge, the thought comes that not much could have been done. But with the Pinstripes only trailing 6.5 games behind the wild card spot, the perception changes. It brings ifs and buts into consideration as everyone looks for answers to the question of what went wrong.

Although the Yankees have not played well for most of the time this season, they did decently even after all the inconsistencies. But the injury to the 2022 MVP at Dodger Stadium changed the situation. The team that previously occupied a playoff spot lost it, trailing into the last position in their division. Even after brilliant efforts, the situation remains unfavorable for the Yankees and Judge, who trail behind Shohei Ohtani in the MVP race. It brings up the question: Is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Ohtani desire to be blamed for all this?

Are the Los Angeles Angels Behind the New York Yankees’ downfall?

Although many players can contribute, there is one player on whom each team counts a lot. For the New York Yankees, it is Aaron Judge. The 31-year-old is not only important for them as an offensive and defensive player, but also for his impact as a captain, making him the star of the team. The captain’s significance was visible in the team’s poor performance without him. The reason behind it was the injury that Judge sustained at Dodger Stadium.

The team could not compensate for his void in the outfield and at the plate and continued to lose games due to inconsistent offense. It becomes very much true when the analysis of season records was done. Even after missing two months of action, the 2022 MVP outperforms the top performers of the team on parameters including home runs and RBI statistics, making him the best on the team.

Moreover, with Judge on the team, the Pinstripes have performed better. Eight wins in their last 12 games at a win percentage of 0.650. Interestingly, it is a better win percentage than the AL table-toppers, which makes one think that the Yankees should have been making the playoffs at this rate.

A fan also backed the statement of the Los Angeles Angels hurting the Yankees, showing an alternate picture. It read, “There’s an alternate world where Aaron Judge doesn’t run into that wall at Dodger Stadium, the Yankees call up the kids in July, and they’re firmly in the postseason picture while Judge is making his case for back-to-back MVP awards right now.”

The statement makes sense. But it also makes one wonder did the Los Angeles Dodgers benefited from Aaron Judge’s injury with their future goals of signing Shohei Ohtani.

Did Injury to Aaron Judge Benefit the Dodgers in Their Shohei Ohtani Pursuit?

Shohei Ohtani is one of the best in the league. With him choosing a free agency, teams are more ready than ever to sign him. It includes the current NL West champions. However, given the competition in the market, many did not favor them as the next destination for the Two Way Phenom. But has it changed after the unintentional support from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Japanese star?

Notably, it has been a race for the MVP between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani over the last few seasons. With the 2022 MVP standing in front, it was difficult for Ohtani to reclaim that spot. But after Judge sustained injury on June 3rd, the road for him became easy. Even after missing the last few weeks of consistent action, the $500 million valued star continues to lead Judge in the home run stats. With his pitching record compensating for his recent absence, he is at an advantage for winning the MVP award.

As much of it has happened after the Judge’s injury at the Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles side has indirectly benefited Ohtani. Given that they are in the race to sign the 2021 MVP, his 2023 MVP win can favor them. Moreover, the Dodgers have made it to the playoffs, which is another dream of Ohtani, adding to their appeal in the battle of free agency.

Read More:- In Just One Night, Aaron Judge Relentlessly Closes in on Injured Shohei Ohtani in AL MVP Race Even After Missing 55 Games

Well, with all these factors, they might get a first choice to have the prized star in their squad in the postseason. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.

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