Entering this series, the Yankees had 12 games left on their schedule and a 6.5-game lead on the Blue Jays in the AL East standings. There are still three games left in this series, but a sweep is what the Red Sox needed to really play spoiler.
That’s out the door after the bullpen blew Game 1. (Also, the Rays knocked off the Jays, so the Yankees’ lead on the division is now 7.5 games.)
But, the Red Sox at last managed to get one thing on Thursday. No. 61 was not hit. Even then, they got a little lucky.
That ninth-inning deep-fly to center had a 113 MPH exit velo. Usually, balls hit that hard and that high don’t stay in the yard. Especially in a cracker jack box like Yankee Stadium. Of course, that fly ball is a prime example of why the Red Sox pitched around Judge even more than usual Thursday.
The Red Sox have issued their share of walks to Judge this season, but Game 1 of this series marked the first time he had three in one contest against Boston this season. That tied his season-high, and it’s just the fourth time he’s reached the mark in 2022. So, for all of Alex Cora’s talk about attacking Judge “the same way we’ve done the whole season,” the Red Sox clearly adjusted to the circumstances.
They needed to — assuming they don’t want to cap off this miserable year by being part of Yankees history. For all the focus that’s put on No. 61, No. 62 could very well be an issue for the Red Sox, too.
Through 15 games against the Red Sox, Aaron Judge has five home runs. However, he’s only homered in three of those games. So, avoiding No. 61 is paramount because No. 62 could very well happen the same day.