The Yankees need three players to rise to the occasion in the World Series.

Introduction

The Yankees rode the elite performances of Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton past the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, but the World Series presents a whole new challenge. Whether they face the New York Mets or the Los Angeles Dodgers, the pressure will be higher, and the Yankees will need contributions from players who have been struggling to rise to the occasion.

Aaron Judge’s Challenges in the Postseason

Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been unusually off his game during the playoffs. The 32-year-old is batting just .161/.317/.387 over nine games and 41 plate appearances, with a 94 wRC+ indicating he’s been 6% below the average postseason hitter. Although his teammates have stepped up in his absence, Judge contributed two more strikeouts in the series-clinching win against Cleveland.

While he’s had a few notable moments, Judge has often appeared uncertain at the plate, lacking a clear strategy. For the Yankees to have the offensive power needed to succeed in the World Series, they need Judge to regain his MVP-caliber form. If Soto and Stanton maintain their hot streaks, Judge’s return to form would make the Yankees’ offense nearly unstoppable. We’ve seen how quickly Judge can bounce back, and his elite performance will be vital for the Yankees’ championship aspirations.

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Jazz Chisholm’s Offensive Woes

While Jazz Chisholm has excelled defensively at third base, his offensive production has become a significant liability. The 26-year-old is hitting just .147/.216/.265 this postseason over nine games, with one home run, one RBI, and a 28.9% strikeout rate. His 37 wRC+ indicates he’s been 63% worse than the average hitter this postseason, which falls far short of what the Yankees expected from their trade deadline acquisition.

Manager Aaron Boone continues to trust Chisholm, starting him every day, but he needs to demonstrate greater discipline at the plate and cut down on his strikeouts. Chisholm is most effective when he gets on base and utilizes his speed to create havoc, but a .216 on-base percentage isn’t sufficient. The Yankees need significantly more from him if they hope to contend for a championship.

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Austin Wells’ Offensive Struggles

Rookie catcher Austin Wells has been impressive defensively, but his offensive performance has hindered the team’s success. Over nine games and 36 plate appearances, Wells is batting just .091/.167/.182, with one home run, three RBIs, and a troubling 41.7% strikeout rate. His -1 wRC+ indicates he’s been 101% worse than the average hitter this postseason, a stark decline from his regular-season performance.

Wells has slipped down the batting order since losing his cleanup spot, hitting eighth in Saturday’s game. While his defensive skills have kept him in the lineup, the Yankees need him to regain his timing at the plate and cut down on his strikeouts. Wells displayed moments of offensive brilliance during the regular season, and if he can rediscover that form, he could become a significant threat in the World Series.

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Looking Ahead to the World Series

As the Yankees gear up for the biggest stage, they will need increased contributions from Judge, Chisholm, and Wells to complement the outstanding performances of Soto and Stanton. If these key players can elevate their offensive game, the Yankees will possess all the necessary tools to shine in the World Series and compete for a championship.

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