Yankees star Aaron Judge explains why Yankee Stadium will be “huge” against the Red Sox in Games 3 and 4 of the AL Division Series.
BOSTON — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge started with “electric.”
Then he realized that’s not nearly enough to explain what the feeling will be like when the Yankees arrive at Yankee Stadium to face the Red Sox for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Monday.
“I try to describe it,” Judge said, “but I still can’t.”
Judge said he’s experienced “nothing like” the playoff atmosphere in the Bronx — and he said he believes it’s going to be a big advantage for the Yankees, who tied Boston, 1-1, in the best-of-five series with Saturday’s 6-2 win at Fenway Park.
“I’ve never been a part of an atmosphere like that, the way the fans — they’re out there on the field with you. Every single pitch, they’re locked in,” Judge said.
The Yankees “can’t wait” to get back in front of New Yorkers after also losing Game 1 of the series on Friday.
“We know our fans are waiting for us to come back home,” Judge said, “especially with this series tied, 1-1, like that and we’ve got two games like that, it’s going to be huge. So we’ve got to keep going back out there and playing our game and see what happens.”
The Yankees and Red Sox play Monday and Tuesday. If a Game 5 is necessary, it will be back at Fenway Park.
The Yankees, who went 53-28 in the Bronx this year, don’t want that to happen.
As for Judge, he’s homered in his first three games of the playoffs this year. He had a solo blast in the first inning Saturday to give the Yankees a 1-zip lead. On Friday, he hit a solo shot in the ninth inning to bring the Yankees within one — they lost, 5-4. He also homered in the AL Wild Card win over the A’s.
Just has six home runs in his last eight playoff games, according to researcher Katie Sharp. Hank Bauer (1958) and Johnny Mize (1952) were the only other Yankees to homer in each of the team’s first three games to start the postseason.
Judge and Bernie Williams are the only Yankees to hit seven homers in their first 16 playoff games.
“I’m just trying to have quality at-bats and help my team,” Judge said. “I’m not trying to go out there and do too much. That’s been our motto all year. When we’re good, we just keep passing the baton. If that’s taking a walk or working the count and letting guys see pitches, that’s all I’m trying to do. Just have quality at-bats for my teammates — if we keep the line moving with the type of offense we have we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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