5 players who will decide 2017 ALDS between Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees

Aaron Judge, New York Yankkes, OF

If the Judge is in, then the Yankees lineup becomes very difficult to face.

The next great Yankee slugger smashed 52 moonshots this season, and he’s got a dangerous batter in Gary Sanchez protecting him in the lineup.

Remember how much of a man crush Joe Buck had on Kyle Schwarber last season? Judge could be this series’ Schwarber, although Buck won’t be calling the ALDS.

The point is, Aaron Judge can be that pesky presence in the lineup that Schwarber was that can make life all kinds of difficult for Indians pitchers.

What are you options? Pitch to him? There’s a good chance he’ll leave the ball park.

You could walk him, but that’s not a great habit to fall into with Sanchez on deck.

The Tribe needs to go after great. Their starting rotation has been stellar at striking batters out, and Judge strikes out a ton–208 times this season to be exact.

Kluber struck out 265 this season, Carlos Carrasco struck out 226. Trevor Bauer struck out 181. These guys can disbar the Judge, but at the same time, if they make a mistake, Fans in New York will rise…and Clevelanders will never hear the end of it.