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Yankees' Aaron Boone: Aaron Judge is 'clear-cut MVP'

One of the hottest races in MLB this season is not between teams fighting for a playoff spot but between Aaron Judge and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh for the AL MVP award.

Both players have had masterful seasons, but the Yankees' win over the Orioles on Friday showed why Judge could win his second consecutive MVP award. The slugger went 1-for-3 with a walk, but his go-ahead two-run shot led to the Yankees' 8-4 win over the Orioles on Friday night. It was a pivotal moment for New York, which is trying to catch the Blue Jays for the AL East crown, after starter Will Warren gave up the team's early lead, Judge gave the lead right back.

Judge's night puts his batting average at an AL-high .330, and he is en route to winning his first batting title. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked after Friday's win if the feat would surprise him. But in the midst of answering, the longtime skipper made a proclamation about the AL MVP race.

"Nothing Aaron Judge does surprises me; to me, he's the clear-cut MVP," Boone said. "Batting title, feel like he's been on base seven times a day the last week. Whether they don't pitch to him, pitch to him, hitting it out of the ballpark. Made a really good play in right field to open the game, you see his athleticism out there. I don't put anything past 99. He's playing like an all-time great."

While Judge's overall season numbers are extraordinary, he's doing it down the stretch as the team gets ready for a postseason run. He's hitting .374/.543/.802 (34-for-91) with 33 runs, three doubles, 12 home runs (eight in his last 15 games), 18 RBI, 33 walks (seven intentional) and four stolen bases over his last 28 games. 

Overall, Judge has reached base safely in 134 of his 150 games this year, while batting .330/.458/.687 with 135 runs, 30 doubles, two triples, 52 home runs, 111 RBI, 124 walks (36 intentional, a new AL record) and 12 stolen bases.

In comparison, Raleigh has set records for what a catcher can accomplish as a hitter. His 60 home runs are a record for catchers and switch-hitters and are threatening Judge's AL home run record (62). He's also leading a Mariners pitching staff that is one of the best in the league, while captaining the AL West champs.

All while playing good defense and staying available for his team. 

Perhaps, the race will come down to the final two games as the Yankees and Mariners fight for seeding and positioning, and Raleigh and Judge look to pad their stats before the writers make their decision.

The MVP award will be announced sometime in October.

 

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Red Wings' Pre-Season Winning Streak Snapped After Penguins' Comeback

For the first time in pre-season play, the Detroit Red Wings didn't come away victorious. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins responded from what was a 2-0 first period deficit with three unanswered goals, including a pair of third period tallies, to earn a comeback 3-2 win at PPG Paints Arena in downtown Pittsburgh. 

Former Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri, who agreed to a professional tryout agreement with the Penguins, knotted the score with an early third period goal, followed by a power-play tally from Philip Tomasino that ultimately stood up as the game-winner. 

As they did during their first pre-season contest earlier this week against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Red Wings iced a lineup mostly comprised of young players, most of whom will be playing in the minors this season. 

One player who will likely spend time with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but doesn’t quite fit the “young prospect” label at 27 years old, is John Leonard, a former San Jose Sharks draft pick signed to a one-year, $775K contract this offseason. 

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Leonard scored twice for the Red Wings during the opening 20 minutes of play, which included skating in down the right wing on a partial breakaway and sniping a shot blocker side past goaltender Tristan Jarry for the night's opening goal.

Leonard knows how to score goals, as he did 36 times last season while playing in 72 games for the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers. 

His second tally was a floater from just inside the blue line that somehow eluded Jarry, who may have been partially screened. 

Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, who was born in Pittsburgh, was given the start and stopped 13 of the 14 shots that he faced before giving way to Michal Postava midway through the contest. 

"Hell Of A Shooter": Todd McLellan Praises Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård may be more known for his hard-nosed approach to the game, but he gave Red Wings fans a demonstration of his offensive abilities as well on Thursday night. 

Postava, making his second appearance in 24 hours for the Red Wings, was beaten twice on the six shots he faced. 

The Red Wings will now move on to play the Buffalo Sabres as they did on Thursday night, but this time at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Saturday afternoon (3:00 p.m. ET).

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