Tuesday night brought excitement and a tight contest as the New York Yankees faced off against the Cincinnati Reds, eventually falling 5-4 in their series opener. Despite the loss, there were notable performances that highlighted the evening, particularly from Aaron Judge.
Aaron Judge continues to solidify his status as one of MLB’s premier players. With a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, Judge showcased his batting prowess. However, it was his 32nd home run of the season, hammered out on July 2, that truly stood out. This milestone not only added to his impressive personal stats but also drew comparisons to his achievements from the previous season.
Last season, Judge hit his 32nd home run on July 16. By the end of the season, he had set the American League record with an astounding 62 home runs. As of Tuesday night, Judge leads the majors in batting average (.321), home runs (32), and RBIs (83), putting him on a trajectory that has fans and analysts buzzing about the possibility of another record-breaking year.
Judge's performance also sparks conversations about the Triple Crown, an elusive feat in modern baseball. The Triple Crown, which comprises leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs, hasn't been achieved since Miguel Cabrera did so with the Detroit Tigers in 2012. Before that, Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox was the last American League player to win it in 1967. The most recent National League winner was Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals back in 1937. If Judge continues on this path, he could potentially etch his name among these legends.
A significant measure of Judge's offensive dominance is his OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of 1.158, a figure that sets him significantly apart from his peers. To put it into perspective, Shohei Ohtani’s OPS in the National League is over 100 points lower than Judge's, underscoring the Yankee outfielder's superior performance this season.
However, Judge's quest for the Triple Crown may face a minor obstacle in the form of Steven Kwan, who boasts a batting average of .362. Kwan, sidelined for over three weeks due to a hamstring strain, hasn’t yet achieved qualifying status. Should Kwan maintain his average upon return and meet the qualification criteria, the batting average title could become more contested.
The Yankees' narrow defeat to the Reds underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball. One game can reveal both vulnerabilities and moments of brilliance. As the Yankees look to rebound in this series, the spotlight on Judge remains. His exceptional skills and potential to make history add layers of intrigue and anticipation to each game.
The season offers many twists and turns, but Judge’s relentless consistency and power at the plate provide a steady source of excitement for Yankees fans. With each swing, there’s a sense of witnessing something special, much like the historic season he delivered last year. Whether or not he achieves the rare Triple Crown, Judge's journey through the season promises to be a spectacle worth following.