The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in hours will meet for the first game of a Wild Card series rematch and neither team is operating at full strength. The Yankees have to deal with the biggest loss this October, however.
Aaron Judge is not on the Yankees' Wild Card roster, first reported by Jack Curry of YES Network. Judge has been out for most of the season between two different injuries and his absence will continue into at least the first round of the postseason.
The slugging outfielder was first sidelined with a rib stress fracture that kept him out of action from June 1-September 7. Only seven games after Judge returned — notably without taking a rehab assignment — he strained his calf and hasn't played since.
Before the series, New York manager Aaron Boone seemed quite certain that Judge wouldn't be on the Wild Card roster. Judge disagreed and mentioned that he was doing all he could to be rostered, but Boone seemingly could not be convinced.
Judge's absence is a massive break for the Red Sox. Boston hasn't been swinging it well lately as a team, but the Yankees' offense is also seriously diminished without Judge, a home run threat every time he steps up to the plate. Boston's offense may not have to produce as many runs without Judge active in the opposite dugout.
Red Sox will not face Aaron Judge but will see Giancarlo Stanton against Yankees in Wild Card series
Yet, the Sox won't get off easy against New York. The Yankees have activated Giancarlo Stanton to take on their slugger role, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Stanton has been sidelined for more of this season than Judge has, with just 24 games under his belt this year. The veteran was first placed on the injured list in April, and each time he tried to mount a comeback, another ailment popped up — the story of Stanton's later career, at this point.
Despite the rust, Stanton is still dangerous. Judge is a famously weak playoff performer (.236/.346/.476 postseason slash line, 17 home runs over 17 series) compared to his regular season production while Stanton has been better over slightly fewer series (.254/.322/.605 playoff slash line, 18 home runs over 14 series). Stanton can be just as dangerous a hitter as Judge and Boston's pitchers will need to be sharp when he takes the plate.
Having to face Stanton makes avoiding Judge in the Wild Card round feel less impactful. But the Red Sox have one of the best pitching staffs in the league and there is no American League team better prepared to deal with Stanton in Yankee Stadium.
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