The New York Yankees have been struggling without the injured Aaron Judge in their lineup, and the captain has observed some issues with the team during its seven-game losing streak.
"It's not great - just a little lack of focus," Judge said prior to Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "We've just got to dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have just got to remember that every single day they show up here. We're here to win a World Series, so that's your motivation.
"Every single day you step on that field, no matter what happened the day before: 'I've got a job to do.'"
The Yankees are 12-15 without Judge, who is sidelined with a fractured rib. New York has struggled lately on both sides of the ball; its offense has been held to four or fewer hits in five of its last six games, and the club has allowed 23 unearned runs since June 20.
"Collectively, as a whole, we're just trying to do too much," Judge said. "Everyone is trying to be the one guy that will hit the grand slam with nobody on. It's like, 'Hey, just take your approach. Take your at-bat.'"
Judge, who's still weeks away from his next round of imaging on his rib, admitted that watching the Yankees struggle from the sideline is "the worst." However, the three-time MVP plans to continue supporting the team with his leadership, and he believes the losing streak is just a bump in the road.
"We talked in April, talked in May," Judge said. "Good teams go through rough times like this. Every good team has two or three bumps in the road. I think right now, we're not responding, and that's what it comes down to. If something doesn't go your way, it's how you respond on that next pitch."
Following an off day Thursday, the Yankees will attempt to end their losing streak at home against the Minnesota Twins on Friday.
