Aaron Judge benched vs Red Sox: Is Boone secretly better off without the Yankees' captain?
Aaron Judge is out for the Wild Card Series, but his absence could give the Yankees an unexpected advantage.
The Yankees would prefer to have Aaron Judge for the postseason, but their biggest star was left off the roster for the American League Wild Card Series with a calf injury. Even so, the outfielder could return for the Division Series (ALDS) if New York eliminates the Boston Red Sox .
Are the Yankees better without Aaron Judge?
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show , MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa said Judge's absence could even be an advantage for manager Aaron Boone. He also noted that Giancarlo Stanton is on the roster, so fitting Judge in as designated hitter would have complicated the lineup.
"It's a huge deal just because you can make the argument he (Judge) is the best hitter in the sport," DeRosa said. "But he didn't look good when he first came back. It's his right calf. If he could've gone I think he would've forced the issue to be put on this roster. I actually think it makes (Aaron) Boone's job a little bit easier… If Judge was gonna be on the roster, you were gonna want him in right field. You want (Paul) Goldschmidt in there against the lefty, you're not taking Ben Rice out, there's just not enough positions for these guys to kind of handle.
For the former player, the captain's absence simplifies Boone's decisions.
"So, I think it makes Boone's job a little bit easier… If I'm Boone right now, he's trying to steal this series and get Judge off his feet for four days and then bring him back hopefully against the Rays, and he's healthy and can play a little bit of right field for them."
DeRosa also believes Boone is thinking beyond the Wild Card Series and that the rest could benefit Judge.
Game 1 between the Yankees and Red Sox, in New York, is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
