Why Yankees think Aaron Judge is on verge of busting out

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Aaron Judge had nothing to show for it, but made three loud outs Wednesday night that had those around him thinking he was on the verge of breaking out.In the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS, Judge went 0-for-4 with a walk to fall to 1-for-11 with three walks in the series.

But the first out was a line drive smoked 114.4 mph into the outstretched glove of shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and the other two fly ball outs came off the bat at 99.2 mph and 90.2 mph, suggesting that Judge is getting closer to clicking.“I didn’t get any hits, so it’s not feeling too good,” Judge said.“But we’re right where we need to be.”Hitting coach James Rowson had said before Game 3 that Judge was in a “good spot,” despite his only hit so far being an infield single, continuing a recent trend of quiet Octobers.

But Judge has the ability to change that with one swing.“He’s definitely going to do damage,” said Giancarlo Stanton, who delivered the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning.“It’s only a matter of time.

He’s had good at-bats, so yeah, it’ll come when we need him most.”Judge also struck out in the seventh inning on a check swing that he appeared to hold up on, but first base umpire Mark Carlson said he went around.“His swing was much better,” Alex Verdugo said.“He just missed three balls.

He’s in a good spot.” Unless the Yankees win — or at least get to — the World Series, there will almost certainly be questions from the outside regarding Boone’s job security, since there’s a team option on his contract for next year.Asked about Boone’s status Wednesday, GM Brian Cashman said Wednesday that Boone has done a “great job” this season.“We’re certainly happy to have him as our manager,’’ Cashman said before the Yankees’ Game 3 victory.“We’ve got the best record in the American League [and] won the AL East.

Now we’ll try to win the postseason and try to climb all the ...