The anticipation of Aaron Judge’s return was justified. The hubbub associated with him actually back in the lineup was understandable.
You know what might have been missed — or at least overshadowed?
How well the other bats around him have perked up as the schedule dwindles.
Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, Luis García Jr. and Spencer Jones began hitting before Judge rejoined the lineup and have not stopped with the big man back. That foursome — Rice and Bellinger in front of Judge and García and Jones behind him — combined to go 10-for-16 with five RBIs Friday as the Yankees won the Subway Series opener 6-4 on an evening of solemnity and celebration at Yankee Stadium tied to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
