NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are steadily building their wins and discovering new heroes almost every night. As they head towards their first World Series appearance since 2009, it’s evident they will rely on all 26 players on their roster to vie for their 28^th championship.

In Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night, New York highlighted several key players who played crucial roles in an often gritty and straightforward victory necessary for postseason survival.

The star of the evening was none other than the expected AL MVP.

Aaron Judge finally made his mark on this ALCS, connecting on a 414-foot homer, soaring at an impressive 37 degrees over the wall above Monument Park in right center field. This homer was just what the Yankees needed to create some separation during this postseason run.

When Judge’s homer landed, the Yankees had extended their lead to four runs in the seventh inning, ultimately securing a 6-3 victory and a solid 2-0 lead in the series.

Game 3 is set for Thursday at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, and the longer this series goes, the more the Yankees seem to gain strength.

Their leadoff hitter, Gleyber Torres, continues to shine, adding three more hits in Game 2 and boasting a .448 on-base percentage in this postseason while contributing to over a quarter of the Yankees’ runs.

The bullpen, led by the nimble yet formidable closer Luke Weaver, is on fire with a 0.77 ERA over 23 1/3 innings, effectively picking up for ace Gerrit Cole, who managed to pitch four shutout innings but allowed ten baserunners to reach during Game 2.

With Anthony Rizzo back from the injured list and collecting three hits in his first seven at-bats, the lineup is now looking solid from top to bottom.

Now, their captain has made his impact known.

“You know it’s coming,” said reliever Clay Holmes, who has transformed into an almost flawless setup guy after being demoted from his closing role, boasting 6 2/3 scoreless innings in high-pressure situations this postseason.

“If he keeps swinging, it’s going to happen. He’s Aaron Judge. We’ve been watching it for years. As teammates, there’s never any doubt about who Aaron Judge will be for us.”

Indeed, the gap between how the public perceives Judge’s performance and his actual impact can feel vast as postseason progresses. As others thrive, Judge often faces the toughest pitching, resulting in fewer pitches to hit and heightened attention if he struggles.

Despite the pressure, Judge remains focused, coming into Game 2 with a batting average of .133 and only one RBI. Numbers that would make anyone panic!

However, he had drawn six walks and maintained a .364 OBP—valuable contributions to a Yankee team that now holds a 6-1 postseason record.

“When he’s performing well,” Rizzo noted after Game 2, “he’s constantly adjusting his swing and handling things the same way as when he’s, quote unquote, struggling. The only place he’s off is maybe some of the media narratives, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t pay much attention to that.”

“Whatever others might say about him outside this team is irrelevant. Inside, he remains true to himself every single day.”

The crucial moment came in the seventh inning with the Yankees holding onto a tight 4-2 lead, facing Cleveland’s Hunter Gaddis, the second-best reliever on the roster. Up until that point, Judge had had a curious yet effective night, benefiting from an error by Cleveland’s shortstop Brayan Rocchio in the first inning that led to a run.

That was merely an indication of the powerful seventh-inning homer that electrified Yankee Stadium, expanding their lead to 6-2 and validating Judge’s teammates’ confidence in him.

“Always. Always,” said reliever Tim Hill. “It’s just a matter of time with Aaron.”

Such is the reputation Judge has built after smashing an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022 and following it up in 2023 with 58 home runs and a stellar 1.152 OPS. Yet, none of his nine seasons have ended with a championship or a World Series appearance.

This year, however, seems to promise a different outcome—especially as the Yankees excel in winning gritty matches.

If the Yankees manage to win six more games and clinch their 28^th World Series, expect documentaries and books chronicling the team that ended a 15-year championship drought. Those stories might not delve deeply into the details of Game 2, and that could be just fine.

Despite not pitching his best—Cole went four innings without allowing runs but allowed too many baserunners, leading to trouble in the fifth inning that required Holmes to step in to close it out.

Rizzo and Jazz Chisholm were both picked off second base after hitting doubles, contributing to the tight nature of the game, where two of the Yankees’ runs came from Cleveland’s errors.

In the end, Judge provided the flair and magic necessary to sway the game.

“You never know what the wind will do on nights like this when hitting at center field,” said Judge, who has now surpassed…“`html

Stanton hit his 14^th home run in the playoffs, saying, “the spirits were definitely leading the way to Monument Park.”

He’ll always be more than just a piece of this team. However, the Yankees are emphasizing that everyone will need to contribute to break the title drought, from the star player lighting up the crowd to the lineup of relievers who take the mound.

On Tuesday, it was Hill who earned a standing ovation from the fans for his perfect five-out performance in the sixth inning and part of the seventh. Soon after, a more recognized face stepped into the spotlight.

“It’s a challenging game,” Judge commented. “It really keeps you grounded.”

“Everyone has to pitch in if we’re going to achieve our goals.”

This includes even the star players.