The New York Yankees are headed to the ALDS to take on the Toronto Blue Jays, and it does not hurt that the Bronx Bombers also eliminated the Boston Red Sox from the postseason. Boston was 9-4 against New York during the regular season, but the Yankees were able to find their footing in the playoff matchup.
Slugger Aaron Judge reflected on being able to have more success against the team’s rival in the playoffs than the Yankees had in the regular season.
“They had our number in the regular season, but we got them when it counted,” Judge noted on October 2, per The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor.
Here’s a look at Judge’s immediate reaction to the Yankees’ series win against the Red Sox and upcoming ALDS matchup versus the Blue Jays.
Yankees OF Aaron Judge on Being Hit by Pitch vs. Red Sox: ‘You’re Kind of Upset About That’
It would not be a rivalry matchup if things did not turn intense during the series. Red Sox pitcher Justin Slaten hit Judge with a pitch in the fourth inning. Judge admitted to being a bit upset about the incident but shot down the notion that the pitch was intentional.
“I don’t think there was any intent,” Judge told The Athletic. “I just think it was a big miss, so you’re kind of upset about that. You don’t want (95 mph) to the wrist at any moment.”
Aaron Judge on Yankees vs. Blue Jays: ‘It’s Going To Be a Fun Matchup’
Now, the Yankees’ attention turns to the Blue Jays. Toronto had the upper hand against New York during the regular season going 8-5. Judge revealed his first reaction to facing the Blue Jays.
“We’re excited for Toronto,” Judge remarked. “It’s going to be a fun matchup. They’ve got a good ballclub over there, and we’re going to try to keep it rolling.”
Yankees Manager Aaron Boone on SP Cam Schlittler: ‘A Star Is Born’
The Yankees got a massive performance from starting pitcher Cam Schlittler who notched 12 strikeouts and no walks against the Red Sox in Game 3. Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes the performance solidified the rookie’s stardom.
“A star is born tonight,” Boone said of Schlittler, per ESPN. “He’s a special kid, man. He is not afraid. He expects this.
“… I didn’t even want to talk to him much. I just wanted to say, ‘You good?’ Usually, I will come down the steps if I am going to have a conversation or take him out. I kind of stood on the steps and just gave him my, ‘Are you good?’ He was.”
Aaron Judge: ‘We’ve Had a Lot of Noise From the Outside’
Despite dropping the first game against the Red Sox, the Yankees were able to close out the series with two straight victories. Judge noted there was not any doubt within the Yankees clubhouse despite the slow start.
“All season it’s been like this, our backs up against the wall,” Judge explained. “We’ve had a lot of noise from the outside, but it never crept into this clubhouse.
“We knew how special this group was and how special we are, and now we’ve got to take care of business in the DS.”
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