Aaron Judge is one homerun shy of breaking the AL record for most homers in a regular season. And since hitting number 60 last week, Judge has gone six games without a home run – his longest drought since early August.
Yankees fans, on the edge of their seats during a four-game series versus the Boston Red Sox, eagerly awaited Judge’s mound appearances as the star batter is on the brink of equalling Roger Maris’ American League record of 60 home runs. Unfortunately, his record-breaking efforts failed to come to fruition, and New York fans were forced to wait for Judge to achieve home run history.
Like most Yankee fans, the Yankee team is also desperate to see Judge break the American League home run record.
Record-breaking attempt versus the Red Sox
“We’re all in the dugout, hoping he hits it,” commented Nestor Cortes Jr., who pitched all six innings during the Yankees’ final series meeting with the Red Sox. “Every fly ball, we’re screaming with the fans.”
However, the Yankees weren’t just fighting the Red Sox, as the weather conditions became the most challenging opponent to overcome. Rain hammered down, lightning lit up the heavens, and the warning track flooded. The play was postponed, but catcher Jose Trevino saw the unplayable conditions and still prayed the umpires would resume play, just so the potential of matching Roger Maris’ record would commence.
For the first time, we witnessed a crowd boo at the fact their team had won, as the game was called, and the Yankees claimed a 2-0 victory. However, the record attempt would be reignited the following day, as the Yankees flew to Toronto to begin a new series against the Blue Jays.
“The script will play out,” Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, said. “It’s, you know, the drama of the sport. Things happen if and when they’re supposed to.”
Boone, admittedly, often takes his star man for granted. “There may be a night where he went 1-for-3 with a walk, and I came in thinking he didn’t have a great night,” he said. “Then I’m like, ‘1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base and a play in the outfield – it’s like, that’s a pretty good night.”
The feeling is mutual with Judge’s teammates. When he fails to go deep, they avoid negative emotions.
“Our expectations for him are the same as they were from Day 1, that he sets the tone and has a quality at-bat,” said Gerrit Cole. “So, like, if he does it, then – we’re not disappointed that he walks. That’s a positive outcome for the team. So, we try to remain the same.”
Another failed record attempt
When Monday’s meeting with the Blue Jays arrived, Judge, once again, stayed at 60 home runs. The Yankees’ bid to capture the AL East and Judge’s record-breaking attempt was stalled as the Blue Jays won 3-2.
“Game on the line, that’s where you want to hit; that’s why I’m doing all the work to put myself in a position to go out there and help the team out and help us get a win,” Judge said, who singled, walked twice and struck out twice.
Oddsmakers expected a close contest, but the visiting Yankees, priced at -105, took the favorable position. BetMGM New York continues to take nonstop action on Judge home run props, as the Empire State’s MLB fans expect Judge to break the AL record any day now.
And no doubt, sports bettors will return to the betting window with their Judge HR tickets during the remainder of the Blue Jays series.
The Yankees entered Toronto to begin a three-game series requiring just one win to claim the AL East crown, and Judge needed one homer to capture the AL single-season record of 61, a record unchallenged since Maris’ 1961 triumph.
Of course, the Yankees are focused on taking the top spot, but most baseball fans are in attendance to witness baseball history. Judge remains on 60 homers for six consecutive games since moving within one home run of Maris’ AL record last week.
Only Maris, Judge, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa have hit 60 home runs in a single season.