On the surface, Aaron Judge has had one of the most fruitful seasons of his career. However, he started the season with a slump and had the longest homer-less streak from August to September. Judge is no Mr. November; his postseason dilemma is a known fact, and sadly, it’s an ongoing issue this season too. No big hits and no headline-worthy performances from the Yankee captain is the storyline.

In fact, the MVP chants that accompanied Judge’s at-bats in the Bronx aren’t as loud anymore. However, Judge is trying his best, and his stint at Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians went smoothly. But if you expected it to be a breakout game, it just didn’t pack that punch. But while fans can complain, his mate Juan Soto has none. Currently, he, along with Giancarlo Stanton, is carrying the team ahead, and according to Soto, there is no pressure on the team. Instead, he defended Judge in the open!

Juan Soto says the team can’t lean only on Aaron Judge

Every team has its superstar, but baseball isn’t a one-man show. Baseball is a team sport, and recently even legend Derek Jeter said that the Yankees’s fate cannot rely on Judge’s shoulders alone. It’s a team sport after all; similarly, when asked about Judge’s slump and the pressure on the team, Juan Soto was clear—the crew’s success isn’t tied to just one man. “I don’t think he has any pressure. Some days you can’t find the hole. I think he’s going to be fine. It’s a team effort at the end of the day. It’s going to take every single guy in that lineup. We can’t lean on only him,” Juan Soto emphasized.

He also highlighted the fact that MLB is a collective effort; and while Judge’s performance in Game 1 of the ALCS wasn’t what most had hoped for, it sure wasn’t impactless. Just as Giancarlo Stanton made a big noise, Aaron Judge contributed, but in quieter ways. He made two running catches on Jose Ramirez’s line drives, showcasing his brilliant defensive skills. At the plate, he walked, scored, and even drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Sure, Judge is searching for his rhythm back, going for a 2-for-15 postseason, but it is a known fact that Judge can always make sudden turnarounds. After his 16-game homer slump, he had homered in five consecutive games, so, the hopes are still high!

Giancarlo Stanton – the Yankees’ playoff hero

Giancarlo Stanton has continued to show his October might with his clutch performances. In Game 1 of the ALCS, he delivered again with a 439-foot solo home run in the seventh inning which gave the Yankees the 5-2 lead over the Cleveland Guardians. This blast was just one of his milestones, marking Stanton’s 13th postseason home run with the Yanks in just 32 games. It tied him with Babe Ruth for the most homers by a Yankee at the time. Manager Aaron Boone perfectly summed it up, remarking, “That ball was absolutely nailed on a cold night.” 

Stanton’s bat is truly making the noise when the team needs it the most; his presence has been crucial given Judge is still looking for his rhythm. Moreover, Giancarlo Stanton’s solo home run was not his only contribution –  he walked and scored during the Yankee’s three-run rally in the third inning. He finished 1-for-3, but his outs were deep-fly balls solid. However, the former NL MVP is no stranger to postseason success—he has 1.132 OPS in the ALDS.

Giancarlo’s game-changing home runs and tie-breaking blast in Game 2 against Kansas City were key to the New York Yankees’ playoff run. Stanton, along with Juan Soto, who also homered at the game, are currently frontrunners for the team. But now is the time Aaron Judge needs to make a comeback; so, do you think he can? Let us know below.