{"id":122612,"date":"2026-05-24T22:45:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T02:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=122612"},"modified":"2026-05-24T22:46:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T02:46:05","slug":"al-mvp-slumps-aaron-judge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/05\/24\/al-mvp-slumps-aaron-judge\/","title":{"rendered":"MVP Hangover: Aaron Judge Slump and Cal Raleigh off to Uncharacteristically Slow Starts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2026 Major League Baseball season has already delivered a surprising storyline: some of baseball\u2019s biggest stars are struggling to match the impossible standards they created for themselves last year.<\/p>\n

For two of the American League\u2019s top MVP finishers<\/a>, the season has turned into an uphill battle, with Aaron Judge’s<\/a> slump and Cal Raleigh\u2019s struggles <\/a>standing out as early defining narratives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cal Raleigh\u2019s Nightmare Start Ends With IL Stint<\/h2>\n

After smashing 60 home runs during his historic 2025 campaign, expectations surrounding <\/span>Raleigh entered another universe this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, the Seattle catcher opened 2026 in a prolonged slump before landing on the injured list on May 15 with a right oblique strain. At the time of the injury, Raleigh was hitting just .161 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs through 41 games \u2014 one of the lowest batting averages among qualified hitters in baseball.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The numbers raised a difficult question around the league: was 2025 simply impossible to sustain?<\/span><\/p>\n

Pitchers clearly adjusted after last season\u2019s power explosion. Raleigh saw fewer hittable pitches, more breaking balls in disadvantaged counts, and constant defensive game plans centered around avoiding damage. <\/span>The oblique injury may also help explain part of the drop-off. Oblique issues are especially dangerous for power hitters because they directly impact rotational force and bat speed. Even a minor strain can sap power and timing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, there\u2019s reason for optimism. Before going on the IL, Raleigh had started showing signs of life offensively, including a brief stretch where his swing looked closer to last season\u2019s version.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aaron Judge Slump Deepens as Cold Stretch Reaches Historic Territory<\/h2>\n

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Successful catcher’s challenge means Aaron Judge strikes out for the seventh straight at bat pic.twitter.com\/dXZXF9Udnz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n