The New York Yankees are experiencing a significant offensive downturn in the latter part of the season, a trend that has become particularly acute since the absence of star player Aaron Judge. The team's inability to generate runs, especially in the early innings of games, has created a noticeable 'before and after' effect in their performance.
Judge, a key offensive force for the Yankees, has been sidelined with a fractured rib. His impact is particularly evident in his ability to perform in the first inning. Prior to his injury, Judge was an elite performer in the opening frame, boasting an OPS of 1.042 across his career in first-inning plate appearances, a statistic that ranks him among baseball legends. Through May 31 this season, in 59 games, Judge had already hit seven home runs in the first inning, contributing to an OPS of 1.192 during that period.
During the time Judge was active and the team was performing well, the Yankees led the majors in opening-frame OPS at .893 and ranked second in runs scored with 44. The current offensive struggles suggest a trickle-down effect from Judge's absence, impacting the team's overall ability to produce runs consistently. This situation could lead to difficult decisions for manager Aaron Boone as the season progresses into its final quarter.