Aaron Judge and the 2025 Playoffs: An In-Depth Analysis
Aaron Judge, a key figure for the Yankees, has had a mixed performance in the 2025 MLB playoffs, contrasting with his brilliant regular season. This analysis from Alofoke Deportes delves into his performance, pitcher strategies, and the keys to his postseason success.
Throughout his career, Judge’s OPS decreases in the playoffs compared to the regular season. Although in the 2025 playoffs he exhibits an OPS of 1.024 and leads the league with eight hits in his first five games, his power has been limited, with only one double in 21 plate appearances. His team is on the verge of elimination in the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pitching Strategies Against Judge
The study of Judge’s first 18 at-bats reveals how pitchers adapt to him in the playoffs, with a different approach than in the regular season. Left-handed and right-handed pitchers employ specific tactics to counter his power.
Against Left-Handed Pitchers
Left-handed pitchers usually throw fastballs in the strike zone, mixing with slower pitches in the corners. The goal is to avoid pitches in the center of the zone, where Judge is more dangerous.
- Judge vs. Left-handers in Playoffs: 42 PA, .400/.500/.714, 19% K, 17% BB, 3 HR
- Judge vs. Left-handers this Postseason: 8 PA, .500/.500/1.125, 13% K, 0% BB, 0 HR
The fastest pitchers tend to be more aggressive, while those with slower speeds seek to avoid risks.
Against Right-Handed Pitchers
Right-handed pitchers adapt their strategy based on their secondary pitch. If they have a breaking ball, they use it frequently, combining it with fastballs on the inside zone. If they have a splitter, they mix it with sliders and fastballs.
- Judge vs. Rights in Playoffs: 241 PA, .192/.304/.409, 34% K, 13% BB, 13 HR
- Judge vs. Rights in this Postseason: 13 PA, .400/.538/.400, 23% K, 15% BB, 0 HR
The main goal is to avoid errors in the strike zone.
Judge’s History and Strategy
Teams can’t ignore Judge’s impressive track record, with a 1.028 OPS and 368 career home runs. Therefore, pitchers’ strategy focuses on keeping the ball away from where Judge can do the most damage.
In the 2025 regular season, Judge faced 176 pitches in the center of the zone, with an OPS of 1.630 and 15 home runs. In the playoffs, he has seen seven pitches in that zone, but has not managed to hit any.
Judge is being pitched similarly to the regular season, but he is not capitalizing on pitchers’ mistakes, which explains his lack of power in the playoffs. The team needs Judge to take advantage of these opportunities to advance.
