The New York Yankees are neck-and-neck with the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the American East. New York has a 25-14 record, half a game behind their division rivals. However, their top hitters, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, are a massive reason for their success.
As the MLB Network tweeted, Soto is hitting .383 with five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in their last 12 games. Those numbers translate to a .453 on-base percentage and 1.091 OPS during that stretch. Soto had back-to-back three-hit games against the Houston Astros on May 7 and 8.
He also had multiple-hit games against the Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers. The four-time Silver Slugger awardee also connected on three home runs during those games.
Meanwhile, Judge is hitting .349 with four home runs and 11 RBIs over the same period. The 2022 American League Most Valuable Player has a .462 on-base percentage and 1.182 OPS.
Judge had a three-hit game against the Astros on May 8 and back-to-back two-hit games versus the Detroit Tigers on May 4 and 5. He tallied five hits in two games during their series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto over their last 12 games
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 9, 2024
Judge: .349 AVG (15-43 AB), 4 HR, 11 RBI, .462 OBP, 1.182 OPS
Soto: .383 AVG (18-47 AB), 5 XBH, 11 RBI, .453 OBP, 1.091 OPS pic.twitter.com/Y8ZJidGtTl
Their impressive hitting helped the Yankees win eight of those 12 games. While they are second to Baltimore in their division, they have the most wins in the American League due to more games played. Yankees fans hope Soto and Judge can maintain their steady hitting when they start their three-game series on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.
-Lance Fernandez