Aaron Judge will strike out more than 200 times this year, but who cares. He may top Mark McGwireās rookie home run record of 49. Only two other MLB rookies have had 100 walks, 100 RBI and 100 runs in their debut season. Judge is also one of only 28 players in MLB history to have 45 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs and 100 walks in a season.
More important than joining elite MLB company, Judge has been hot at the plate in September. Hitting against the Orioles and Twins has been good for his slash line. He is up to eight home runs in the month and has his first monthly OPS over 1.000 since June. Judge could not have picked a better time to lock back in at the plate.
After nearly two years of waiting, the Red Sox finally have Carson Smith back and contributing in their bullpen. Throwing his wiffle-ball slider, Smith has made it through his first five appearances with Boston without allowing a run. The right-hander could form a formidable bullpen for the Red Sox with Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly and David Price.
The Red Sox may need Rafael Devers to play a major role in the postseason with Eduardo Nunez continuing to battle a knee injury. The young third baseman has hardly been overmatched at the plate since his MLB debut. He wonāt turn 21 until the end of October and has a better OPS than Manny Machado in close to 50 games this year. Devers is not great on defense, but his bat will play in the postseason.