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Yankees’ Aaron Judge Takes Aim at Giants in Homecoming
Aaron Judge is set for a critical homecoming as the New York Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants for a three-game interleague series beginning Friday night. This denotes Judge’s most memorable chance to play at Oracle Park, prestigious for its famous bygone era mitt over the left-field seats.
Yankees’ Recent Success
The Yankees are on a roll, having secured their second consecutive series win on their nine-game Western swing with an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. This win marked New York’s 13th victory in its last 17 games, showcasing their strong form in the MLB.
Aaron Judge’s Performance and Personal Milestone
Judge, a 32-year-old native of Linden, California, located less than 100 miles northeast of San Francisco, has been in exceptional form. He hit his 18th home run of the season in Thursday’s win and has homered in five of his last eight games. Judge missed his 2019 homecoming due to a strained oblique, making this visit particularly significant.
While visiting San Francisco in 2007, Judge, a freshman at Linden High, looked up to his favorite Giant, shortstop Rich Aurilia, and imitated his stance. Looking back on his 2019 visit that he missed, Judge shared an optimistic feeling, saying, “It would have been enjoyable to have the opportunity to compete here. Perhaps in another eight years. “We will wait and find out.” This year’s series represents the chance that has been eagerly anticipated.
Challenges of Hitting at Oracle Park
Oracle Park, noted for being one of the toughest stadiums to hit home runs, presents a unique challenge for Judge. Giants chairman of the board Greg Johnson recently cited the ballpark’s difficulty in attracting superstar free agents due to its home run constraints. The park’s signature baseball-glove display lies 501 feet from home plate, a distance that has thwarted even the most powerful hitters. The closest anyone has come to hitting it was Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who managed 503 feet but was wide left during the 2007 Home Run Derby.
Matchup Against Giants Starter Jordan Hicks
Judge will face Giants starter Jordan Hicks, who boasts a 4-1 record with a 2.33 ERA. Hicks has allowed only four home runs in 11 starts this season and has been particularly effective at Oracle Park, giving up just three homers in 34 innings. Despite their limited encounters, Hicks has managed to strike Judge out twice and get him to pop out once in three previous matchups. Hicks will make his first career start against the Yankees, having previously limited them to one hit over 5 2/3 innings in five relief appearances.
Judge’s Experience in Various Ballparks
Judge has exhibited his abilities in 33 distinct ballparks all through his profession, including novel areas like Bison, Dunedin, London, and the Iowa Field of Dreams. Curiously, he has played in two different Arlington ballparks however still can’t seem to play in San Francisco or Colorado, making this series one more achievement in his celebrated MLB vocation.
Pitching Duties for the Yankees
Right-hander Marcus Stroman is slated to start for the Yankees on Friday. With a 4-2 record and a 2.76 ERA, Stroman brings solid form into his fifth career start in San Francisco, though it will be his first as a Yankee. Historically, Stroman has a 2-2 record with a 3.34 ERA in five starts against the Giants.
Conclusion
While Aaron Judge gears up for his highly anticipated return to Oracle Park, the New York Yankees are focused on maintaining their winning streak against a tough Giants squad. Judge’s impressive performance, along with the special difficulties presented by Oracle Park, guarantees that this MLB series will be an exciting show for baseball enthusiasts.
