ALDS Struggles for MLB Stars Judge and Witt Jr.

The highly anticipated American League Division Series (ALDS) has highlighted the struggles of Major League Baseball (MLB) stars Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., as both players have failed to meet expectations. This series had been set up as a substantial platform for two of the game’s most prominent figures. However, through three games, their combined performance at the plate has not met the hype.

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, along with their fellow stars Juan Soto and Vinnie Pasquantino, have underperformed significantly. Collectively, they have managed just six hits in 46 at-bats, translating to a low batting average of .130, with only one run batted in (RBI) among them.

Judge and Soto have provided some relief for the Yankees with a few walks and minimal hits, but this has not satisfied the expectations of fans and broadcasters alike. Renowned broadcaster Bob Costas has frequently highlighted Judge’s at-bats, anticipating a big moment that has yet to arrive.

For the Royals, the situation appears even more dire. Witt’s eighth-inning single in Game 3 was his first hit in the series, and together with Pasquantino, they have accumulated just one hit in 25 attempts, striking out ten times. Pasquantino is thought to be affected by a recent thumb injury, with his post-season statistics showing a decline in his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, possibly due to the lingering effects of the injury.

Bobby Witt Jr.’s issues are less attributable to injury and more to a string of bad luck and challenging pitching. In the opening game, Witt appeared unlucky when well-hit balls landed in defensive gloves, frustrating his efforts to contribute to the Royals’ offensive output. Game 2 saw him strike out multiple times, suggesting he may be pressing too hard to generate momentum.

Defensively, Witt has also faced challenges. He misplayed a ball in Game 2 that could have been crucial. Such defensive lapses are unusual given his otherwise solid fielding capabilities and underscore the pressures of post-season play where every error is magnified.

Despite their current struggles, history shows that post-season narratives can be rewritten. Salvador Perez, a past World Series MVP, began his playoff journey with difficulties similar to Witt’s. Royals Manager hopes Witt can bounce back and support the team, which faces a formidable challenge as they are on the brink of elimination in the series.