Aaron Judge has been a force to be reckoned with in Major League Baseball for the past few months, putting up video game-like numbers that have left pitchers scratching their heads. Recently, an interesting new tactic has emerged in an attempt to slow down the towering New York Yankees superstar. It all started in late July when the New York Mets decided to pitch around Judge, leading to him walking four times in a single game, once intentionally. This strategy was then adopted by the Toronto Blue Jays, who issued three intentional walks to Judge in a single game after he hit a home run in the first inning.
The decision to intentionally walk Judge, even with nobody on base and early in the game, was a rare sight that hadn’t been seen in over 50 years. Despite only receiving a total of 11 intentional walks so far this season, Judge’s impressive stats speak for themselves. With a batting average of .321, 41 home runs, and a 1.147 OPS in 114 games, his performance this season has drawn comparisons to the legendary Barry Bonds. However, the recent increase in intentional walks has limited Judge’s opportunities to showcase his hitting prowess.
As the Yankees strive to break out of their recent slump, the question arises of whether opponents will continue to avoid pitching to Judge in crucial moments. With pitchers like Gerrit Cole expressing their admiration for Judge’s hitting abilities, the intentional walks pose a challenge for the team. Judge’s impressive streak of intentional walks in a three-game span has put him in elite company with Yankee legends like Roger Maris and Babe Ruth. The team’s lineup restructuring and the emergence of rookie catcher Austin Wells as a key player behind Judge have been attempts to counter this strategy.
The intentional walks given to Judge shed light on the evolving tactics in baseball and the emphasis on data-driven decisions by teams. The reshuffling of the lineup and the consideration of swapping Judge and Juan Soto to force opponents to pitch to Judge demonstrate the Yankees’ efforts to counter this strategy. The rise of Austin Wells as a reliable hitter behind Judge has added a new dimension to the team’s offense and offers a potential solution to induce teams to pitch to Judge.
Despite the frustration of intentional walks, players like Juan Soto understand the strategic aspect of the game and the need for teams to make such decisions in order to win. The challenge for the Yankees lies in finding a balance between protecting Judge and ensuring that the rest of the lineup can capitalize on opposing teams’ focus on him. Manager Ron Washington’s acknowledgement of Judge’s hitting prowess and the necessity of strategic decisions against him highlights the respect that opponents have for the standout player.
As the season progresses and the Yankees push towards the postseason, the spotlight on Aaron Judge will only intensify. Opponents will continue to devise new strategies to contain him, while the Yankees look for ways to unleash his full potential at the plate. The intentional walks may be a temporary setback, but they also serve as a testament to Judge’s impact on the game and the challenges that come with facing a player of his caliber. The battle between pitchers trying to outsmart Judge and the slugger’s determination to overcome these challenges will undoubtedly shape the remainder of the season.
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