Aaron Judge’s game-tying three-run home run in the fourth inning of Game 3 of the ALDS ignited a stunning comeback for the New York Yankees, who overcame a five-run deficit to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 and extend their postseason.
The Yankees entered Tuesday’s game on the brink of elimination, trailing the series 2-0 and quickly falling behind 5-0 as starting pitcher Carlos Rodón struggled. The mood in Yankee Stadium was tense, with fans fearing another early playoff exit, but Judge’s timely hit changed the narrative entirely. His homer erased what had felt like a hopeless situation, shifting momentum and energizing the team and crowd alike.
With two runners on base in the fourth inning, Judge faced reliever Louis Varland and connected on a 99.7 mph fastball that was 1.2 feet inside the strike zone. The ball hooked towards the left-field foul pole, striking it fair for a home run—a rare feat, as it was the first time since pitch tracking began in 2008 that a hitter homered off a pitch that fast and that far inside. Judge described the moment as suspended in air before the clang off the pole, crediting ‘ghosts’ in Monument Park for keeping it fair.
Judge’s performance this postseason has been notably productive, with a .500 batting average and 11 hits through five games, marking his highest hit total in any playoff run. However, power had been elusive until this homer, with only one extra-base hit previously, raising questions about his ability to deliver in key moments. Despite this, his overall OPS of 1.024 in the 2025 playoffs shows improvement over past Octobers, where his career postseason OPS is 250 points lower than his regular-season mark.
Opposing pitchers have adopted specific strategies against Judge, with left-handers targeting him inside with high-velocity fastballs and right-handers using breaking balls away to avoid his strengths. During the regular season, Judge excelled against middle-middle pitches, but in the playoffs, he has yet to capitalize on such opportunities, fouling off or missing several center-cut offerings. This approach aims to limit his damage, as he ranked among the best in MLB this year for punishing mistakes over the plate.
Historically, Judge’s postseason numbers have lagged behind his regular-season dominance, fueling discussions about his clutch performance. His .184 batting average in the 2024 playoffs contrasted sharply with his MVP-caliber regular seasons, but his 2025 start, including this pivotal homer, suggests a potential shift. Teammates and managers have praised his resilience, with Aaron Boone calling it a ‘best player in the game-type performance’ after Judge also made a diving catch in right field.
Beyond Judge’s heroics, the Yankees’ bullpen delivered 6 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. added a go-ahead solo home run in the fifth inning. The team’s resilience was highlighted by players like Ryan McMahon, who noted the early deficit ‘kicked us in the butt and got us locked in.’ Additional contributions, such as Ben Rice’s sacrifice fly, supported the bullpen’s efforts, with key innings from Tim Hill, Devin Williams, and David Bednar sealing the win.
With the series now at 2-1, the Yankees have forced a Game 4 in the Bronx, with momentum potentially swinging in their favor. Judge’s ability to punish mistakes, as seen in this game, could be crucial for advancing deeper into the playoffs, and his teammates praised his unique talent and impact. As Judge emphasized, there is ‘more work to be done,’ but this comeback has injected hope into the Yankees’ quest for a World Series title.
