47,054 New York Yankees fans sat at the edge of their seats at Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. The Yanks weren’t exactly electrifying on the field, managing a lukewarm win at 6-2. Gerrit Cole struggled, giving up four walks in just over four innings, and the baserunning was messy, with two slip-ups on the paths. It looked like yet another shaky game, especially after Aaron Judge’s recent slump seemed to deflate their playoff hopes. But Judge had other plans, and this time, he said it wasn’t just skill, but “ghosts” that helped him send one soaring into Monument Park.
Fans had been questioning if Judge could shake his postseason woes, but with a single, powerful swing, he transformed the energy at Yankee Stadium. For the 14th time in his playoff career, the Yankees captain delivered a home run, watching as Cleveland’s Lane Thomas tried to chase down the ball to no avail. The crowd erupted, knowing that Judge’s first postseason hit wasn’t just any hit—it was the game-changer that pushed the Yankees comfortably ahead. “You never know on these windy, chilly nights what that ball is going to do, but the ghosts were pulling it to Monument Park, that’s for sure,” Judge said afterward, tipping his cap to the legends honored just beyond the center field who helped him shake off the slump.
After that, Yankees fans knew this wasn’t a team to count out just yet. Judge wasn’t the only one hitting back. In the first inning, he came up to bat with runners in scoring position, and when Cleveland’s Brayan Rocchio fumbled an easy pop-up, the Yankees snagged an early 1-0 lead. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt tried to stop the momentum by intentionally walking Juan Soto, hoping to force a double play, but Judge answered with a sacrifice fly, bumping the lead to 3-0. Vogt’s gamble didn’t work out, and the Yankees kept swinging, leaving Game 2 with a 2-0 series lead and fans rallying behind them for a clean sweep.
Judge’s homer may have come with a little extra “help,” but either way, he’s finally back. As the Yankees head into Game 3 on Thursday, the team looks fired up to chase their first World Series since 2009. So, was Judge’s homer a sign of more magic to come, or just a lucky swing? Debate below and stay tuned—because this season, the ghosts of Yankee Stadium may be the real MVPs!
