The New York Yankees face off against the Boston Red Sox in a key American League East matchup tonight at 7:05 pm ET, with Brayan Bello pitching for Boston and Max Fried for New York. Among the players expected to impact the game, Aaron Judge leads the home run odds at +200, meaning a $100 wager on Judge homering would yield $200. Giancarlo Stanton ranks second with odds of +240 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Aaron Judge’s Current Home Run Status and Recent Performance
This season, Aaron Judge has hit 40 home runs, placing him fourth across Major League Baseball. He leads all players with a .329 batting average and an OPS of 1.124, on pace for a season that could include 51 homers, 117 RBIs, and 128 runs scored, credentials likely to support an MVP candidacy. However, Judge has faced challenges since the All-Star break, batting just .205 with five home runs and an OPS of .790, partly due to missing time with an elbow injury.
Judge’s track record against Boston’s Brayan Bello has been difficult, as he has recorded only two hits in 17 at-bats, including a double, with four walks and seven strikeouts for a .118 average. Tonight, Judge aims to reverse that trend as the Yankees seek crucial victories to maintain their divisional standing against the Red Sox.
Yankees’ Power-Hitting Season Leads MLB Home Run Rankings
The Yankees have relied heavily on power hitting throughout the season, currently leading all major league teams with 210 home runs. This total surpasses the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sit second with 190 homers, and leads the American League where the Seattle Mariners are next with 180. Aaron Judge tops the Yankees’ home run chart with 40, supported by five teammates with at least 20 each: Cody Bellinger with 24, Trent Grisham with 23, Jazz Chisholm with 22, Ben Rice with 20, and Giancarlo Stanton who has 15 over 47 games.
Importance of Tonight’s Game and Outlook
This matchup holds significant weight for both teams in the tight AL East race, with the Yankees pushing to stay ahead and the Red Sox challenging their position. Aaron Judge’s performance tonight could be pivotal not only in influencing the game’s outcome but also in maintaining momentum for his ongoing pursuit of another MVP-level campaign. As the season progresses, the Yankees’ reliance on their home run hitters continues to be a defining feature of their offense.