AL East

After being swept out of the American League Championship Series, the New York Yankees face the possibility of losing outfielder Aaron Judge in free agency.

In a profile from ESPN's Jeff Passan, Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo said the presumptive AL MVP told Rizzo he was "worth more" than what the team offered after general manager Brian Cashman went public with the contract offer in April.

Judge set a deadline of Opening Day to reach an agreement on a long-term deal with the Yankees.

When that didn't happen, Cashman took the unusual step of publicly disclosing that Judge turned down a seven-year extension worth $213.5 million. The deal would have started in 2023.

The Yankees would have combined that extension with a $17 million arbitration salary for 2022, bringing the total value to $230.5 million over eight years. The $28.8 million average annual salary under those terms would have ranked 16th in MLB, sandwiched between Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale ($29 million) and New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom ($27.5 million).

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Judge made a counteroffer to the Yankees with a deal for nine or 10 years and $36 million annually. Heyman said a source close to Judge denied the terms of the counterproposal, though.

While some have speculated Judge could sign the richest contract in MLB history this offseason, teams need to take some factors into consideration. He turns 31 on April 26 and missed at least 32 games in each season from 2018 to 2020.

The San Francisco Giants appear to be all-in on signing Judge. Randy Miller of NJ.com reported the National League West club will "spend whatever it takes" to sign the California native.

Rejecting the offer seems like it'll pay off for Judge. He had a historic 2022 campaign in which he set a new AL record with 62 homers and had the highest wRC+ (208) since Barry Bonds in 2004 (233).

Judge has been the face of the Yankees since his rookie season in 2017. He has hit 220 homers with a .977 OPS in 729 career games. New York has made the playoffs in each of his six seasons, but it hasn't advanced past the ALCS.

The Yankees won the AL East this season for the first time since 2019, but they were swept in the ALCS by the Houston Astros.

The New York Yankees aren't planning to make any major changes following their sweep to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

SNY's Andy Martino reported the Yankees are likely to retain general manager Brian Cashman, whose contract is expiring. And as long as Cashman stays, manager Aaron Boone "is expected to come back, too."

"The only way it seems that this could go sideways for either of them is if fan vitriol becomes so toxic that [team owner Hal] Steinbrenner decides he must initiate a GM change that no one believes he wants to make," Martino reported.

Any season that doesn't end in a World Series triumph is typically considered a disappointment among Yankees fans. Maintaining the status quo may not cut it when the franchise hasn't won a title since 2009. In Boone's case, the absence of a single appearance in the Fall Classic across five years is glaring.

In situations like this, there's always the danger of being a prisoner of the moment.

Cashman is a proven GM with four rings. Since he took over in 1998, the Bronx Bombers have missed the playoffs just four times. The 55-year-old has consistently done well to not only pursue the marquee stars fans are accustomed to seeing in pinstripes, but also developing homegrown talent through the farm system.

In Boone's case, he has guided New York to two 100-win seasons and came one victory of that threshold in 2022. Excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, the Yankees have won at least 92 games every year under Boone. By comparison, they had four straight 80-win seasons under Joe Girardi before going 91-17 in 2017, his last year in charge.

At the same time, you can make a legitimate case to fire both Cashman and Boone.

The 2022 playoffs exposed how top-heavy the Yankees offense had become. The lineup was heavily dependent on Aaron Judge, and the team was toast with him posting a .490 OPS across the postseason.

The salient thing about the Yankees is not that they won 99 games. It's that they won 99 games thanks to a guy with a 10.6/11.5 WAR season and most of the rest of the team played to, more or less, their level and can't be expected to significantly outperform it going forward.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) October 24, 2022

Six years since Brian Cashman “rebuilt” the franchise it’s still a team that exists off one dimensional offense that is easily stifled in the postseason. And most of the young core you had in 2017 fizzled. That foundation crumbled. Now you face another off-season of excuses.

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) October 23, 2022

Meanwhile, Boone's handling of the bullpen drew criticism for the second playoffs in a row. Using the rival Boston Red Sox as a source of inspiration with your back against the wall is the kind of thing that's bound to get mocked as well.

Once again, just a colossally stupid move by Aaron Boone to not only do this, but to PUBLICIZE it. https://t.co/XlUYf79QrE

— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) October 24, 2022

Maybe Steinbrenner's faith in Cashman and Boone will be repaid next October.

For now, ownership will likely be perceived as feeling satisfied with falling short of a championship as long as it doesn't jeopardize the bottom line.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo wants to see the New York Yankees make a significant commitment to outfielder Aaron Judge in free agency.

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Rizzo said the following when asked about Judge's future: "I hope it's in a Yankee uniform, for him and for baseball in general. We're seeing people jump ship so much. … The fitting thing would be for him to do a press conference receiving not only the money he deserves, but also the captain title."

Judge is set to hit free agency this offseason after turning in the best season of his career in 2022, which will likely result in an American League MVP.

The 30-year-old Judge earned his fourth career All-Star nod this season and entered the year having already been an AL Rookie of the Year, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a second-place finisher in the AL MVP voting, but he took his game to the next level in 2022.

Judge set new career highs across the board, slashing .311/.425/.686 with 62 home runs, 131 RBI, 133 runs scored, 111 walks and 16 stolen bases.

The 6'7" slugger led the AL in homers, RBI, runs and walks, and he set a new single-season American League home run record, as his 62 surpassed the previous record set by fellow Yankees outfielder Roger Maris in 1961.

With Judge leading the way, the Yankees went 99-63 and won their first AL East title since 2019. They also got past the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, but they were swept out of the American League Championship Series by the Houston Astros.

Now, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the Yankees for next season and beyond. Aside from Judge's impending free-agent status, it is unclear if manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman will be back.

Also, relievers Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton, starting pitcher Jameson Taillon and outfielder Andrew Benintendi will be free agents, while the team has a club option on starting pitcher Luis Severino and Rizzo has a player option.

Rizzo's comments suggest he would perhaps like to return to New York in 2023, which would be a huge boost for the Yankees after the powerful lefty tied his career high with 32 home runs this season.

Things are perhaps less certain with Judge since the two sides failed to get a new deal done before the 2022 season, and he likely played his way into a far more robust contract.

High-profile sports agent Leigh Steinberg told Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports that Judge could land a 10-year contract worth $500 million in free agency, which would be a new MLB record.

The Yankees also figure to have a ton of competition when it comes to signing Judge, especially from teams in his home state of California, such as the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

While paying up would undoubtedly help the Yankees retain Judge, the symbolic gesture of making him captain would perhaps be of interest to Judge as well.

The Yankees have had only 15 captains in club history, and they have not designated a new one since Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter retired after the 2014 season.

Judge has earned the right to be the next Yankees captain, and giving him that distinction along with a hefty, new contract would cement his place in team history.

Aaron Judge could land a 10-year, $500 million contract in free agency this offseason, agent Leigh Steinberg projected to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.

"He immediately and dramatically enhances a team's offensive output. He's a good team player. And for any team that's not sold out, he's an immediate box office draw," Steinberg said of Judge. "So he might be one of the few players who pays for part of his contract in ticket sales."

Steinberg doesn't represent Judge, but he did negotiate the 10-year, $450 million contract for Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, which was the largest contract in American sports at the time.

Judge could set a record in MLB, topping the total value in Mike Trout's 12-year, $426.5 million contract. Max Scherzer currently has the most average annual value at $43.3 million per year.

Judge will certainly be in high demand after a historic 2022 season in which he totaled 62 home runs, 131 RBI and 133 runs, all league-leading numbers. His .311 batting average was also a career high to go with a .425 on-base percentage and 1.111 OPS.

The outfielder turned down an offer worth $230.5 million over eight seasons in April and now has the chance to cash in big this offseason.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Yankees' biggest competition for Judge could come from the San Francisco Giants. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Los Angeles Dodgers could be "serious players" for Judge. Other big-market teams like the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox could also get involved in the sweepstakes.

It will create a major bidding war that could reset the market in the sport.

Of course, the Yankees will do everything they can to keep the superstar in the Bronx.

"There's a pot of gold there," general manager Brian Cashman said of Judge's contract. "It’s yet to be determined what the gold—how much it weighs—but it's a pot of gold, no doubt about it. So good for him. It was already a big pot and, obviously, it'll be bigger."

Judge's value both on the field and in the box office could lead to the first-ever $500 million deal.

Aaron Judge's historic 2022 season ended in an embarrassing ALCS sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros, leaving the New York Yankees—and Judge—to head into an offseason rife with uncertainty.

He will be the top name on a loaded free-agent market, but he did not seem remotely ready to deal with his future in the aftermath of Sunday's 6-5 loss.

"That's all going to run through my agent. I haven't even thought about the next step yet," Judge told reporters. "But like I said, we've got time to figure it out."

Judge is almost certainly looking at making over $300 million guaranteed this offseason after turning down a seven-year, $213.5 million offer from the Yankees before the 2022 season. He responded by having perhaps the best contract walk year in MLB history, mashing an AL record 62 home runs and narrowly missing out on the Triple Crown.

There will be no shortage of suitors on the open market, with several teams with open checkbooks coming off disappointing seasons. The San Francisco Giants, located about two hours away from Judge's hometown of Sacramento, have been mentioned often as perhaps the Yankees' most formidable opponent in the upcoming bidding war.

For his part, Judge has largely maintained a desire to stay in New York. The Yankees, in theory, have the deepest financial coffers in baseball. There is no reason—beyond a failing of the front office—for Judge to wind up playing anywhere else moving forward.

"I've been clear about that since I first wore the pinstripes. But we couldn't get something done before spring training," Judge said of his desire to return. "I'm a free agent. We'll see what happens."

Coming off a historic season that will likely lead to his first American League MVP award, Aaron Judge is poised to hit free agency with seemingly as much leverage as any player has had in years.

The New York Yankees slugger posted the ninth season in Major League Baseball history with at least 60 home runs. He became the first player to hit the mark since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001.

Judge hit his AL-record 62nd homer on Oct. 4 to leadoff the game against the Texas Rangers.

SIXTY-TWO! BASEBALL HISTORY! @TheJudge44 is the American League home run King! pic.twitter.com/QKrcuOvZMU

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022

In addition to his massive home run total, Judge almost became the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 to win the triple crown. The four-time All-Star led the AL in RBI (131), on-base percentage (.425) and slugging percentage (.686). He finished second in batting average (.311), five points behind Minnesota Twins star Luis Arraez (.316).

His 11.5 FanGraphs' wins above replacement was the highest single-season total in MLB since Barry Bonds in 2004 (11.9).

Putting all of these numbers together suggests the 30-year-old could be in line for a historic contract, but there are reasons to believe the deal he actually gets come in a bit lower than anticipated.

Here's a look at the potential contract Judge could get this offseason, as well as teams that could be interested in signing him.

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Projected Contract

Thanks to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, we know the absolute baseline that Judge's camp will be negotiating from.

After the slugger and the Yankees were unable to reach agreement on a long-term extension before the start of the regular season, Cashman took the unusual step of going public with specifics of the team's offer to their superstar player.

The New York GM told reporters on April 8 that Judge rejected a seven-year, $213.5 million deal that would have been combined with a $17 million salary in 2022 for a total value of $230.5 million over eight years.

Judge came out ahead on his 2022 salary by settling with the Yankees for $19 million in June to avoid arbitration.

In an early free-agency preview on Sept. 14, ESPN's Jeff Passan emphatically said the Linden, California native "will get $300 million-plus" this offseason.

While the odds certainly favor Judge getting a deal of at least $300 million, let's briefly examine the reasons why teams might not be comfortable going that high on an offer.

First, the odds of him being able to replicate his 2022 season again are low. As mentioned, he had the most valuable season by fWAR in 18 years. He had a better individual season than any year Mike Trout, Mookie Betts or Shohei Ohtani have had by this one metric.

Judge doesn't necessarily have to do what he did in 2022 to be worth a massive contract. His average season from 2017-21 was .280/.391/.563 with 31 homers and a 154 OPS+.

Durability is also a consideration for any team interested in Judge. He missed a total of 142 regular-season games from 2018-20. The past two seasons have helped dispel the notion Judge is injury-prone, as he's played 305 out of a possible 324 games.

But if you want to project ahead, Judge is going turn 31 on April 26, 2023. He's a higher level of athlete than a lot of corner-outfield sluggers in MLB, but there's going to come a point when his bat speed slows down and his already-high strikeout rate will get worse.

Judge would be, by far, the oldest current player to sign a $300 million contract if that's what he ends up getting this offseason. Gerrit Cole was entering his age-29 season when he signed a nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees in December 2019.

A seven-year deal worth exactly $300 million would give Judge the second-highest average annual salary in MLB ($42.9 million), behind Max Scherzer at $43.3 million.

The best option for a team to present him would be a deal with a massive average annual value for fewer years than he might be expecting. An offer in the range of $225 million over five years would only tie him with Joey Votto for the 14th-largest contract in terms of total value, but the $45 million average annual salary would be the highest in MLB.

If Judge wants to get the most total value, it will probably take something in the range of seven years and $300 million to make it happen.

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Potential Suitors

New York Yankees

No team needs Judge more than the Yankees. He's a homegrown superstar who has become the most beloved player the franchise has had since Derek Jeter retired after the 2014 season.

When the Yankees were in the midst of their second-half malaise this season, Judge was the single biggest reason they stayed afloat. He was phenomenal after the All-Star break with a .349/.502/.785 slash line and 29 homers in 68 games.

One thing that could work in the Yankees' favor is the market. He is the biggest star in the sport because he plays in New York for the most historic franchise in MLB.

For as valuable as Judge is as a player, his marketability dramatically decreases if he goes almost anywhere else. This isn't to suggest he's going to give them any sort of hometown discount, but it does give them some leverage that other clubs don't have.

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Boston Red Sox

Judge has shown himself to be a brilliant tactician throughout 2022. He didn't give in on what he wanted from a new deal and turned in one of the best seasons in MLB history heading into free agency.

As a businessman, he knew exactly what he was doing when he gave a non-answer to a reporter about potentially playing for the Boston Red Sox at some point in his career.

"Ooh," Judge said on Sept. 14 during a series between the Yankees and Red Sox at Fenway. “We’ll talk about that at the end of the year.”

Judge also spoke about Red Sox fans in the same press conference:

"It’s the best, they’re some of the best in baseball. They’re going to boo you, they’re going to say some things, they’re going to make you laugh. It’s all part of it. A lot of great history here, and this is one of the best places to play, so it’s always fun going out there and trying to put on a show for them."

Even if the Red Sox don't believe they have a chance to sign Judge, they should try to make an offer that drives his price up for New York. The Yankees would be in an impossible situation of trying to navigate a public-relations storm of potentially losing their best player coming off a historic season to their biggest rival.

The Red Sox could be poised to make a big splash this offseason. They will have nearly $60 million coming off their books, with J.D. Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha and Rich Hill set to become free agents.

Xander Bogaerts could become a free agent if he rejects a $20 million player option. The team should also attempt to lock up Rafael Devers, who has one more year of arbitration remaining before he can become a free agent after 2023.

Boston has so many roster holes that spending $35-40 million on one player wouldn't dramatically change its outlook for next season. But it would be entertaining to see the Yankees and Red Sox fighting over a player as they did after the 2003 season, leading to Alex Rodriguez ending up in the Bronx.

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San Francisco Giants

If there is a true contender outside of the Bronx to sign Judge, it's the San Francisco Giants.

Per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, three MLB insiders predicted the Giants would land Judge in free agency.

One obvious connection stems from Judge's proximity to San Francisco. He was born near San Francisco in Sacramento and went to college in the state of California (Stanford).

Beyond that connection, which probably won't matter, the Giants could be poised to be one of the biggest players in free agency this offseason. They had a disappointing season with an 81-81 record after leading MLB with 107 wins in 2021.

Per Spotrac, the Giants only have $103 million in guaranteed money on their books in 2023. Carlos Rodon's $22.5 million player option is the biggest internal decision the front office will have to keep an eye on.

San Francisco has a glaring need for a bat in right field. The team only got a .205/.285/.378 slash line with 23 homers from the position in 2022. There doesn't seem to be much hope on the horizon in the minors.

MLB.com ranked San Francisco's farm system No. 18 in a midseason update published in August. The team only has two top-100 prospects—shortstop Marco Luciano (No. 17) and left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison (No. 22).

Playing in a division with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have a massive payroll and one of the best development pipelines in MLB, leaves the other four teams with such a small margin of error.

The San Diego Padres haven't been shy about spending money and trading for established superstars in an attempt to keep pace with the Dodgers. The Arizona Diamondbacks look to be on the rise with a top-five farm system and Zac Gallen having a breakout season in the rotation.

As things currently stand, the Giants look to be no better than the third-best team in the NL West. Adding Judge wouldn't solve all of their roster issues, but he would give them a big bat in the middle of the lineup that was sorely missing this season.

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St. Louis Cardinals

If you're looking for a potential sleeper in the Judge sweepstakes, the St. Louis Cardinals immediately stand out.

Lars Nootbaar did have a solid second season, showing good patience (.340 on-base percentage, 14.7 percent walk rate) and solid power (14 homers, .448 slugging percentage) as the primary right fielder.

The Cardinals could roll with the 25-year-old as their starter at the position and not look back, but they are looking at a payroll that could clear $90 million this offseason before factoring in arbitration salaries.

That number is assuming Nolan Arenado exercises his player option that will pay him $144 million over the next five years. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the seven-time All-Star is expected to opt in to his deal.

St. Louis has operated with a payroll of at least $150 million in every full season since 2018. General manager Michael Girsch should have no problem being able to sign a major free agent if that's something the team is interested in pursuing.

Arenado, assuming he opts in, and Paul Goldschmidt are the only major long-term commitments the Cardinals currently have on the books. Goldschmidt can become a free agent after 2024.

There's no one else in the NL Central who looks anywhere close to competing next season. The Milwaukee Brewers have two elite starters leading their rotation, but the bullpen wasn't the same after Josh Hader was traded to the San Diego Padres.

The Chicago Cubs could be a sleeping giant if ownership allows the front office to start spending like the big-market team franchise they should be. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are still years away in their rebuilding efforts.

Everything is already set up for the Cardinals to own the NL Central for a long time. Adding another elite hitter like Judge to a group that already includes Arenado and Goldschmidt would allow them to close the talent gap on the very top-tier NL teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves).

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. exited Game 4 of the American League Championship Series in the third inning with an apparent injury, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

The Yankees later announced that Cortes was dealing with a groin ailment, per ESPN's Joon Lee.

Cortes gave up a three-run game-tying home run to Astros rookie Jeremy Peña before being pulled by manager Aaron Boone. He was replaced by Wandy Peralta out of the bullpen.

It was clear Cortes was struggling before being removed. Boone and the team's athletic trainer came out to the mound to check on him, but he appeared to insist he was fine before giving up the home run to Peña.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, Cortes' four-seam fastball velocity dropped to 88 mph in the third inning, down from 92 mph in the first inning.

The removal of Cortes was a tough blow for the Yankees, who entered Sunday's game on the brink of elimination and needed a solid outing from one of their top starters to help force a Game 5 in Houston on Monday.

Cortes pitched two games in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out five in 10 innings.

The 27-year-old put together the best regular season of his career this year, going 12-4 in 28 starts. He posted a 2.44 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 163 strikeouts across 158.1 innings.

Cortes has three more years of arbitration eligibility before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He figures to be a key member of the Yankees' rotation for at least a few more seasons, regardless of the outcome of this series.

The New York Yankees are on the brink of elimination from the American League Championship Series, down three games to the Houston Astros, and it appears the team is trying to draw some inspiration from its rival—the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees mental skills coach Chad Bohling showed the team highlight videos of the 2004 Red Sox—who came back from an 0-3 deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS to reach the World Series—and Eduardo Pérez video-chatted BoSox legend David Ortiz in Aaron Boone's office on Sunday, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

The 2004 Red Sox remain the only team in Major League Baseball history to come back from down three games to win a series. Ortiz was named the 2004 ALCS MVP after contributing walk-off hits in Game 4 and Game 5 of the series and finishing with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Boston went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series and capture its first title since 1918.

If the Yankees are going to become just the second team in history to overcome a three-game deficit, they're going to have to dig deep against a Houston team that has been dominant through the first three games of the series.

The Pinstripes have been outdueled both on the mound and at the plate, and Lance McCullers Jr. is looking to deliver the final blow to New York's World Series hopes in Sunday's Game 4.

McCullers last pitched against the Seattle Mariners on Oct. 15 in the American League Division Series, allowing just two hits and posting seven strikeouts in six innings.

Nestor Cortés is set to get the start on the mound for the Yankees. He started two games in the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out five in 10 innings.

A big factor in whether or not the Yankees will force a Game 5 will be if its anemic offense can come to life in the Bronx on Sunday night. Through the first three games of the ALCS, the team has combined for just 12 hits in 94 total at-bats (.128 batting average).

Aaron Judge has been particularly poor at the dish against Houston after a monster regular season that saw him break the AL home run record. He has just one hit in 12 at-bats. Giancarlo Stanton and Harrison Bader lead the team with three hits each.

If the Yankees are swept out of the postseason, the franchise will be left with some pretty significant questions to answer this winter, one of them being what went wrong for a roster that includes a number of baseball's top stars.

The New York Yankees are on the brink of elimination from the 2022 postseason following Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium, and Aaron Judge knows he needs to be better if the team wants to extend its season.

"I've got to step up and do my job," Judge told reporters following Saturday's loss.

Judge went 0-for-4 in Saturday's Game 3, though it should be noted the Yankees managed just three hits in total—one each from Giancarlo Stanton, Harrison Bader and Matt Carpenter.

However, Judge has been particularly quiet in this series against the Astros. He went 0-for-4 in Game 1 on Wednesday and 1-for-4 in Game 2 on Thursday. He has no RBI or home runs through the first three games.

It's been a continuation of a somewhat down postseason for Judge. In the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians he went 4-for-20 with two home runs and three RBI with 11 strikeouts.

Judge had been New York's best player in the regular season, hitting .311 with 62 home runs and 131 RBI in 157 games. It was his best season in the Bronx, a season in which he broke Roger Maris' American League home run record.

If the Yankees are going to extend their season, it's going to take a full team effort. Judge, Stanton and the remainder of the team's lineup need to have their best game of the season on Sunday night.

If they falter, the team could look very different next season as New York has been aiming to win its first World Series since 2009. One of the most significant changes could be the potential departure of Judge.

The 30-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this winter after rejecting a seven-year, $213.5 million offer from the Yankees before the 2022 season began. He's expected to become one of the highest-paid players in baseball.

While the Yankees have reiterated that they will make him a competitive offer, there's still a possibility he doesn't return to the Bronx in 2023.

The New York Yankees will have to make history to save their 2022 season after a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

New York has dropped the first three games to the Astros, having been outscored 12-4 thus far. Saturday was supposed to be the Bronx Bombers' chance to get back in the series with Gerrit Cole making his first start as the series shifted to Yankee Stadium.

Things got off to a rocky start when Harrison Bader's missed catch on a Christian Vazquez fly ball into center field with two outs kept the second inning going. Chas McCormick's opposite-field homer on the third pitch he saw from Cole gave Houston a 2-0 lead.

Chas off the top of the wall! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/XvRNJR4V28

— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2022

That turned out to be plenty of run support for Cristian Javier and the Astros bullpen. Javier allowed just one hit in 5.1 shutout innings.

The Astros blew things wide open with three runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Starting pitching has been the biggest difference in the series thus far. Houston's top three starters—Javier, Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez—have combined to allow three runs (one earned) with 25 strikeouts and eight hits allowed over 18.1 innings.

Aaron Judge and the Yankees offense has struggled to get going all postseason. Even in their ALDS victory over the Cleveland Guardians, they hit a collective .182/.273/.370 with 53 strikeouts in 154 at-bats.

As you would expect from a prolonged stretch of poor play, fans and analysts had a lot to say about the Yankees needing to win four straight games to reach the World Series.

Aaron Judge strikes out again, fans boo. "How can that even be possible?" Ron Darling.

Truly don't know what to say. The team is coming up woefully short, and Judge is the lead culprit. Why is it incomprehensible some drunks booed him?

— Yanks Go Yard (@YanksGoYardFS) October 22, 2022

Aaron Judge getting booed, hooo boy. Lemme turn on NXT lol

— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) October 22, 2022

Inept would be a kind way to characterize the Yankees' offense in the ALCS. Current numbers through 6th inning of Game 3:

- BA: .120 (10 for 83)
- OBP: .198
- SLG: .229
- Runs: 4
- Strikeouts: 36
- Walks: 7
- Total bases: 18 (same number Jeremy Peña and Chas McCormick combined)

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 22, 2022

Giancarlo Stanton has three hits this series. Harrison Bader has two. Four other Yankees have one. That's it.

— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) October 22, 2022

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1583960913580740609

Yankees have to make a big splash this offseason offensively. This is really bad baseball and infuriating to watch

— JL (@JLas43_) October 22, 2022

The Yankees peaked in the first half of the season. They’ve been bad for the last 2 1/2 months.

— 🐶WOOF CLITZER🐶 (@ESPNFrankie) October 22, 2022

https://twitter.com/MissKatefabe/status/1583972186078908417

A postseason full of poor managerial decisions but most importantly the worst hitting performance from a lineup! I can't get my head around how bad they've been. There is literally no explanation! 😞 #yankees #ALCS2022

— kyp coudounas (@kyp24) October 23, 2022

A Bronx bummer 😐

Lots of sad faces at Yankee Stadium tonight. pic.twitter.com/0TEUxiVXvU

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 23, 2022

This season really has been a tale of two halves for the Yankees. They were on pace for 113 wins at the All-Star break when the offense had a .776 OPS and averaged 5.4 runs per game. The pitching staff had a 3.08 ERA and averaged 9.02 strikeouts per nine innings.

In 70 games after the break, the Yankees were a .500 team (35-35) averaging just 4.4 runs per contest with a 3.60 ERA.

The Yankees were able to overcome their issues in the ALDS against a Guardians team that didn't have much power or depth in the lineup. Houston has been the best team in the AL all year, and it's showed throughout this postseason.

The Astros have won each of their first six playoff games. If they can run that streak to seven, they will be in the World Series for the fourth time since 2017.

Lance McCullers Jr. will make his second start of the postseason for the Astros on Sunday. Nestor Cortes will take the mound for the Yankees.

Game 4 of the ALCS will be played at 7:07 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium.