Aaron Judge On Yankees’ Playoff Push: ‘I Wouldn’t Count Us Out’

The slugger returned from injury this weekend and is ready to help his last-place team fight for a playoff spot.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has played just two games since returning from the toe injury that kept him sidelined for the better part of two months.

With New York’s superstar back in the lineup, the Yankees are gearing up for a playoff push, though it certainly won’t be easy.

Speaking to reporters after Saturday night’s win over the Orioles, Judge shared his thoughts on the team’s chances of sneaking into the postseason.

“I wouldn’t count us out,” said Judge, via the YES Network. “We’re going to take it one game at a time, we’re going to continue to show up every single day. I think that’s all we can do at this point. I’m not going to look down the road and look past tomorrow’s game, but if we just keep showing up, doing our job, and playing the way we’re supposed to, I think we’ll be in a good spot.”

After going 0-for-1 with three walks on Friday, Judge saw more favorable pitches during Saturday’s clash, and he made the most of his opportunities. He collected three hits including a home run, his 20th of the year. 

Following the win, the Yankees are 55–49. While they’d be in first place in the AL Central, the team finds itself in dead last in the AL East. New York is 3 1/2 games behind the Astros for the final wild-card spot in the American League, in a race that figures to go down to the wire.

Judge isn’t ready to count out the Yankees, and with his bat back in the lineup, perhaps one of baseball’s most dormant lineups will find a much-needed spark.