By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
05 Oct 2024, 2:34 PM EDT
The American League Division Series begins this Saturday and the New York Yankees will host the Kansas City Royals in the Bronx. Who reached this stage after eliminating the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Series.
It is no secret to anyone that the Yankees start as favorites in this series. And if we look at the offensive numbers of their top star and captain, Aaron Judge, the slugger is expected to have a batting feast against the Royals.
According to Judge’s history facing what will be his rival in this Division Series. The “Judge”, as he is often nicknamed, has offensive power and impressive numbers.
And in 37 games in his career against the Kansas City Royals, Judge has an average of .300 and an OPS of 1.009 in Judge’s eight seasons in the Major Leagues.
In 162 plate appearances against the Royals, the Yankees slugger has hit 13 home runs, driven in 29 runs and had 42 hits. So it seems to be one of Judge’s favorite victims in the big tent.
This year Aaron Judge is the main favorite to win the season’s MVP award. And the captain of the Yankees finished the regular round with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a .322 average.
If he wins it, it would be Judge’s second MVP award. Who in 2022 raised this award after breaking the record for home runs in the American League with 62 homers.
As for the Division Series, the Yankees hope to advance to the next round and be on their way to breaking the 15-year streak without winning the championship. Manager Aaron Boone commented at a press conference that “we have a great opportunity, but we will only have it if we play our best baseball.”
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