New York Yankees Joel Sherman Breaking down the complicated lineup decisions Yankees face with Aaron Judge returning — and Red Sox looming By Joel Sherman Published Sep. 3, 2026, 3:52 p.m. ET Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees smiles on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Anaheim, California.Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels. Getty Images Play the defense.
The Yankees have had so many offensive difficulties since Aaron Judge went on the injured list that at the trade deadline they added two bats (and two bats only). They have been obsessing for months on how to amp the lineup.
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But Judge is coming back; the Yankees hope early on a homestand that begins Tuesday against the Rockies. The lineup has perked up recently having scored six or more runs in seven of the previous 11 games — or as often as they had scored six or more runs in the previous 58.
Still, down the stretch and especially in the playoffs, Aaron Boone should think defense first. Because the closest the Yankees have come to winning a title since 2009 fizzled in the 2024 World Series, in part because they did not handle the ball well. This season there have been just too many sloppy games. The Yankees’ strength is pitching (especially starting pitching) and I would double down on supporting that with defense and believing a Judge-led lineup will produce enough offense.
