Cody Bellinger Understands the Strategy
Cody Bellinger gets it. He really does. He knows why some pitchers choose to intentionally walk Aaron Judge, even though Judge has had some struggles lately.
“I understand,” Bellinger remarked. “I mean, he’s the best hitter on the planet.” It’s hard to ignore that kind of talent, even when a player isn’t at their peak.
This strategy was evident during their recent game on Friday. Instead of pitching to Judge, the A’s chose to face Bellinger, who had been named the 2019 National League MVP, rather than the more recent 2022 and 2024 American League winner.
Before long, Bellinger capitalized on their choice. With just three pitches, he hit a two-run single, marking his impressive stats of three hits from nine at-bats—along with four RBIs—since the intentional walk to Judge.
Following the Yankees’ clean 3-0 victory that day, Bellinger shared his thoughts on the pressure of such moments. He remarked, “It’s a unique situation. You really need to concentrate or you might find yourself in trouble.” It’s clear he’s navigating it well.
On top of that, Bellinger managed to get another hit in the eighth inning, reflecting an impressive night with four hits over two games. He’s really showing his skills this season with those timely hits.
Teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. mentioned that moments like these can serve as great motivation. Still, he managed a 2-for-2 performance, including a homer.
The trend of intentional walks has been notable this season, especially given Judge’s strong stats, with 28 home runs and 63 RBIs already. He’s on pace to exceed his previous high of 21 intentional walks from last year’s regular season and playoffs.
What’s interesting is that the Yankees have been effective in converting in these scenarios, which is critical for their success.
Bellinger’s recent performance follows a rocky start to the season. He struggled with a batting average below .200 at one point, but clearly, things are looking up.
Chisholm even noted, “It feels a bit disrespectful to walk someone in front of him, especially given his career.” And he’s got a point—walking a talent like Judge certainly raises eyebrows, regardless of the context.
