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Aaron Judge Aims to Power Yankees to Sweep of Padres
Aaron Judge looks to lead the New York Yankees to a series sweep against the San Diego Padres, showcasing his incredible form and the Yankees’ dominant pitching.
The “Aaron Judge Show” is in full swing, and the New York Yankees’ star player is on a mission to power his team to a sweep of the San Diego Padres. Judge’s phenomenal performances have been a cornerstone of the Yankees’ recent success, supported by their rock-solid starting pitching.
Judge’s Record-Breaking Performance
Aaron Judge is on fire! He homered and doubled in the Yankees’ 4-1 win over the Padres on Saturday, marking his fourth consecutive game with a home run. This feat makes him the first major league player to hit 11 homers and 12 doubles in a 20-game span. With 17 home runs, Judge is now tied for the most in the majors.
New York manager Aaron Boone couldn’t be prouder. “What Aaron is doing is just what the greats do from time to time,” Boone said. “Any time he does something that’s a first, or unique, it frankly doesn’t surprise me just because I know how good he is.”
Judge’s first-inning homer on Saturday came right after Anthony Volpe extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a leadoff single. This early offensive burst helped the Yankees clinch the series, improving their series record to 13-2-2 for the season.
Pitching Dominance
Clarke Schmidt (5-2, 2.59 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees on Sunday, aiming to continue the rotation’s impressive form. Yankees starters are on a roll, with an 11-1 record and a stunning 0.78 ERA in their past 13 games. Marcus Stroman’s six shutout innings on Saturday were a perfect example of this dominance.
Schmidt’s last outing ended his three-start winning streak against the Seattle Mariners, where he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. Despite that, his season performance remains strong, and he will face the Padres for the first time in his career.
San Diego’s Struggles
The Padres had a glimmer of hope on Saturday with Fernando Tatis Jr.’s ninth homer of the season, his first in 12 games. Despite batting just .184 over his past 10 games, Tatis remains optimistic. “He said he felt good,” manager Mike Shildt noted, emphasizing Tatis’ positive outlook and recent improvements.
Joe Musgrove’s Return
Right-hander Joe Musgrove (3-4, 6.14 ERA) will make his second start for the Padres since returning from elbow inflammation. In his first start back on Monday against Cincinnati, Musgrove pitched three innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Shildt mentioned that Musgrove will likely improve as he gets back into the groove.
Musgrove’s only previous start against the Yankees was a year ago, where he delivered a solid performance, allowing one run over six innings to secure a win.
Game Dynamics and Expectations
As the Yankees aim for a series sweep, the combination of Judge’s offensive firepower and the starting rotation’s dominance poses a significant challenge for the Padres. The Yankees’ balanced attack and strong pitching make them the favorites, while the Padres will rely on Tatis and Musgrove to turn things around.
FAQs
What record did Aaron Judge set in his recent performance?
Judge became the first major league player to have 11 homers and 12 doubles in a 20-game span.
How has the Yankees’ starting rotation performed recently?
The Yankees’ starters have a combined record of 11-1 with a 0.78 ERA in their past 13 games.
Who will start for the Yankees in the series finale against the Padres?
Clarke Schmidt (5-2, 2.59 ERA) will start for the Yankees.
What was the highlight for the Padres in their last game?
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his ninth home run of the season, his first in 12 games.
How did Joe Musgrove perform in his first start since returning from injury?
Musgrove pitched three innings, allowing two runs on three hits, in a loss to Cincinnati.
What was Musgrove’s performance like in his only previous start against the Yankees?
Musgrove allowed one run over six innings, securing a win against the Yankees.
Conclusion
Aaron Judge’s incredible form and the Yankees’ dominant pitching are key factors as they seek to sweep the Padres. With Judge leading the charge and Schmidt continuing the strong rotation performances, the Yankees are well-positioned for success. The Padres will need standout performances from Tatis and Musgrove to challenge the Yankees’ momentum.
