NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are closing the regular season with momentum. Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles pushed their winning streak to seven and kept them alive in the battle for the AL East crown. A first-round bye remains within reach if the Toronto Blue Jays stumble on the final weekend. Even if they do not overtake their rivals, New York enters October as one of the hottest clubs in the league.
That surge is fueled by captain Aaron Judge. The 33-year-old right fielder continues to anchor the offense and stands as the most feared bat in Major League Baseball. Judge, a five-time All-Star, has combined a strong first half with a blistering September, making him central to the Yankees’ surge.
Record-breaking first innings
Judge launched his 53rd home run of the season in the first inning on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The blast came with a footnote: it gave him 20 homers in the opening frame this season, the most in major league history.
Yankees media confirmed the achievement after the game.
“From Yankees PR: Aaron Judge’s 20 HR in the first inning this season are the most home runs in the first inning in a single season in major-league history. 28 of his 53 HR this year have tied the game (four) or given the Yankees the lead (24)…his 24 go-ahead home runs are the most in the majors,” The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reported.
That record highlights how Judge has set the tone early. His power in the first inning has often given New York immediate leads. The Yankees average 5.3 runs per game, best in the majors, and Judge’s early bursts have been a big reason why.
September surge mirrors Yankees legends
Judge’s September run has been one of the best of his career. In his last 24 games he is hitting .377 with a .537 on-base percentage and a 1.329 OPS. He has hit 10 home runs and driven in 17 runs in that span.
Over his last 15 games entering Saturday, Judge was even hotter. He has batted .447 with eight homers, 13 RBIs, 20 walks and 20 runs scored. His OPS over that stretch is an eye-popping 1.606. According to Yankees Stats, he is the first Yankee with at least eight homers and 20 walks in a 15-game stretch since Mickey Mantle in 1961.
That comparison resonates. Mantle’s 1961 season, when he hit 54 homers while chasing Roger Maris, is still one of the most famous in franchise history. Judge is not only matching that kind of production but making it look routine.
Chase for MVP and batting title
Judge is again a finalist in the American League MVP race. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has also surpassed Mantle’s old switch-hitter homer record, is his main competition. Judge has already won the MVP twice. A third award would place him in even rarer company.
Beyond MVP talk, Judge is close to another exclusive milestone. He entered Sunday batting .328, 13 points ahead of Oakland rookie Jacob Wilson for the AL batting title. If he holds on, he would become just the third player in history to win a batting title while hitting at least 50 home runs.
The only others are Jimmie Foxx in 1938 and Mickey Mantle in 1956. Foxx batted .349 with 50 homers and 175 RBIs for Boston that season. Mantle hit .353 with 52 homers and 130 RBIs, capturing the Triple Crown. Judge, sitting at 53 home runs and 109 RBIs, has placed himself in that same discussion.
Power and more than power
The word slugger often suggests a one-dimensional hitter. Judge has shown he is more. He has a .455 on-base percentage this season, well above his career average of .412. He has stolen 12 bases, pushing his career total to 65. He has also hit 29 doubles, his second-highest single-season mark behind 2024 when he had 36.
His career doubles total now sits at 202. Those numbers prove that his value goes beyond just the long ball. Judge works counts, gets on base, and runs well for his size. That versatility has been key for the Yankees lineup.
Judge impact on Yankees playoff push
Judge’s production has been central to the Yankees securing a postseason berth. His 24 go-ahead home runs are the most in the majors and show how often he has delivered in clutch moments. The Yankees announced earlier this week that they clinched a playoff spot, keeping them in line for a deep run.
The criticism that lingers around Judge is his postseason track record. His regular-season dominance has not always translated in October. With New York’s lineup thriving and its rotation reinforced by midseason additions and young arms, Judge will again be under the brightest spotlight.
For now, he has added his name to the record books in yet another way. His first-inning power has set a major league standard, and his September surge has evoked memories of Mantle’s most legendary years. As the Yankees chase a division title on the final day, their captain is again at the center of everything.
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