Aaron Judge didn't perform noteworthy in the New York Yankees' four-game victory over the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. The Yankees captain has often faced criticism for underperforming in the postseason after regular-season heroics.
As the Yankees take on the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series, Judge's former teammate and 4x All-Star Dellin Betances, appearing on Saturday's episode of "Pinstripes Territory" podcast, offered an idea to help the Yankees captain find form. [7:46]
"I think I will move Big G [Giancarlo Stanton] behind [Aaron] Judge. That's just me; that's what I would do. I call him Playoff G, right? So I'll put him to clean up. That'll give, you know, pitchers [the need] to pitch more to Judge if Giancarlo is behind him," said Betances.
"Obviously, I like [Austin] Wells from the left side, but Big G has done damage for a while, especially in the playoffs with the Yankees. So I feel [it will] just give more protection to Judge," said Betances.
Giancarlo Stanton has been the Yankees' most reliable hitter in the postseason over recent years. In Game 3 of the 2024 ALDS against the Royals, the former MVP hit a homer, scored a run, and recorded three hits, with two RBIs to help propel the Yankees to victory. Stanton even stole a base, much to the surprise of everybody due to his perceived slow speed.
Betances on pitching strategy against Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge's phenomenal slugging prowess has forced opposing teams to use the intentional walk strategy against the Yankees captain. However, the Kansas City Royals didn't heavily utilize the strategy in the ALDS.
Dellin Betances noticed it and said on the "Pinstripes Podcast" that it's a good strategy, which he would have also used against the Yankees captain. [7:28]
"You know, honestly, I'm trying to make him hit my pitch, and that's what I seen KC [Kansas City Royals in ALDS] was doing a lot... They were just, you know, making good pitches on him, even behind counts. I'm not going to just give in, right? Like, I'm going to try to make the best pitch I can," said Betances.
Betances played for the Yankees in 2011, and from 2013 to 2019, afterward, he spent two seasons with the Mets. As such, Betances knows that Aaron Judge can perform in the postseason, evidenced by the Yankees captain's impressive postseason performances in 2017 and 2018. Therefore, the former 4x All-Star pitcher is confident of his former teammate ahead of the ALCS.