The New York Yankees secured their second AL East title in three years after a dominating 10-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. Aaron Judge, the major league leader in home runs with 58, extended his streak of consecutive games with a home run to five, contributing to the team’s win. Giancarlo Stanton had a significant impact with four RBIs, including his 27th home run of the season. Alex Verdugo also added to the offensive display with a home run of his own, while Gerrit Cole outperformed Corbin Burnes in the pitching duel, setting the stage for a potential postseason matchup.
This victory ensured the Yankees a first-round bye and home-field advantage as they prepare for the AL Division Series, which is set to begin on October 5. On the other hand, the Baltimore Orioles, despite clinching a postseason berth earlier in the series, will now face a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting next Tuesday.
Notable achievements for the Yankees included Judge and Stanton homering in the same game for the 14th time this year, a feat that ties them with legendary duo Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris from 1961 for the most in Yankees history. Judge’s two-run homer in the seventh inning marked his 144th RBI of the season, the highest in the major leagues since 2008.
In his final start before the playoffs, Cole delivered a stellar performance, allowing only two hits over 6 2/3 innings while striking out five batters. Conversely, Burnes impressed for the Orioles, registering nine strikeouts over five innings. Stanton’s contributions also proved crucial, with a three-run double in a pivotal six-run sixth inning.
Looking ahead, the Yankees are gearing up to face the Pittsburgh Pirates next, with left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón taking the mound. Meanwhile, the Orioles will send out Cade Povich to start their series against the Minnesota Twins.
Overall, the Yankees’ resounding victory over the Orioles not only secured their division title but also set the stage for an exciting postseason. With standout performances from key players like Judge, Stanton, and Cole, the team is poised for a strong playoff run as they aim for World Series glory.