The Boston Red Sox will face their rival New York Yankees for the second time this season from June 5-7. Boston learned on June 2 that it could have an unexpected advantage in the coming matchup.
Aaron Judge was not listed in the Yankees' June 2 starting lineup — a surprise on Lou Gehrig day. Brian Hoch of MLB.com later reported that Judge has been experiencing shoulder soreness that lingered throughout the Yankees' weekend series against the A's.
Judge underwent scans to diagnose his discomfort and they discovered a bone bruise. He's been classified as day-to-day.
The lack of an injured list stint could mean that Judge could be in the lineup and ready to go when the Red Sox arrive in the Bronx on Thursday. Boston has had poor luck with its short-term injury diagnoses this year, however — Roman Anthony was supposed to need one day of rest to heal his wrist and Garrett Crochet expected his injury to be minor, but both are going on a month without playing.
New York had a similar experience in April with Giancarlo Stanton. The slugger hurt his leg on April 24 while running the bases and later diagnosed with a calf strain. The Yankees initially classified him as day-to-day, but he hasn't played since his injury.
Aaron Judge injury could cause him to miss time in Yankees' upcoming series against Red Sox
Beating the Yankees at their best would be the ideal outcome for the Red Sox, but not facing Judge is a close second. The Yankees are the top home run hitting team in the league with 86 homers through 59 games. Only recently has Boston's offense given any indication that it could keep up with such an offensive juggernaut, but it hasn't shown that it can make that success last. Not facing Judge, one of the league's biggest home run threats at any time, will give the small-ball Sox offense a better chance to win, because no matter how good their pitching has been, Judge could get to them.
Judge isn't the only dangerous player on this Yankees team. They're batting .243/.334/.436 as a team with the second highest OPS in the league at .770. Like Judge, Ben Rice has 17 home runs on the year. He's slashing .414/.485/.793 in the last week and he'll easily (unfortunately) claim the first base nomination on the American League All-Star team from Willson Contreras.
New York's pitching has been incredible. Cam Schlittler (1.48 ERA) is the obvious early frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award and Cole hasn't allowed a run in the two starts he's made since his return.
The Red Sox's bats might have trouble against Yankees pitching, but at least Judge may not be in the lineup to increase the pressure.
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