The New York Yankees have depended heavily on Aaron Judge to carry their offense during recent seasons, a reliance that has left the team vulnerable, especially when Judge is injured. As the Yankees currently hold a 61-54 record and sit in the third American League Wild Card spot, the strength of their lineup without Judge has become a crucial factor. In contrast, the Los Angeles Dodgers offer robust lineup support behind Shohei Ohtani, giving them an advantage in depth and consistency.
Comparison Between Yankees and Dodgers Lineups
Hall of Famer John Smoltz, appearing on the Flippin’ Bats podcast hosted by Ben Verlander, highlighted New York’s fragility due to their dependence on Aaron Judge. Smoltz contrasted this with the Dodgers, whose lineup is built around Shohei Ohtani but is supported by a strong roster of players that reduce the team’s reliance on a single star.
“Aaron Judge is the most important person in baseball to one team,” Smoltz said. “You can make the argument Shohei Ohtani is definitely that to the Dodgers, but they have a surrounding cast that that supports a lot better than maybe the New York Yankees do, and that’s not slighting the players in New York.”
“It’s just the fact that L.A. has put together a pretty impressive roster. But staying healthy is the key to everything. And the Yankees for years now have not been able to keep their two big sluggers healthy.”
The Dodgers boast players like Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, who consistently reach base and are contenders for the National League batting title. Their lineup features cleanup hitters such as Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy, and Andy Pages, who collectively have hit 53 home runs. This depth contrasts sharply with the Yankees, who have struggled to fill the gap left by Juan Soto‘s departure.
Yankees’ Dependence on Judge’s Offensive Production
The Yankees’ offense hinges largely on Judge. Cody Bellinger currently holds the next best statistics on the team, with an OPS of .824 and a batting average of .275, figures that fall short of filling the void left by Soto. Giancarlo Stanton, who has performed well with a .286 average and .868 OPS in 37 games, faces limited opportunities because Judge, even while recovering, is playing as the designated hitter.
Aaron Judge’s Injury and Progress Toward Full Recovery
Aaron Judge was placed on the injured list with a right flexor strain, causing the Yankees to lose five games in a row during his absence. He has since returned to the lineup as the designated hitter but has not yet resumed his position in the outfield. Judge has indicated that his return to full action could take a few weeks following his initial throwing tests.
“I think for a little bit and then eventually it will get better and we’ll be good to go and forget about it in a couple weeks. We’ll see, I’ve never had this. It’d be easier if I had a quad or a hammy or an oblique and I could give you guys a better estimate about what we got,” he said.
Since Judge’s debut, the Yankees have recorded a 197-176 record without him in the lineup. While his recent return brings hope, the team aims for Judge to regain full health and strengthen their playoff chances.
The Impact of Depth on Team Success
The contrast between the Dodgers’ lineup depth and the Yankees’ reliance on Judge highlights a larger strategic difference. The Dodgers’ ability to distribute offensive responsibilities among several key players behind Shohei Ohtani allows for greater resilience against injuries and slumps. In contrast, the Yankees risk their postseason hopes when Judge is sidelined or not at full strength. This underscores the importance of balanced roster construction for sustained success during the demanding MLB season.