So much for the slow starts from Aaron Judge, right?
The New York Yankees slaughtered the Brewers to the tune of 20 runs on Saturday, including 9 total home runs. That mark was one away from the major league record. This came at the expense of former Yankee Nestor Cortes, as the Bronx Bombers took the Hialeah Kid deep a whopping five times. Judge was the ringleader with a trio of booming home runs. For a guy plagued with “slow starter” allegations, that was a heck of a way to put the narrative to rest.
The Yankees will look to sweep the series today against the Brewers and starter Aaron Civale. The career American Leaguer will make his Milwaukee debut against a lineup with plenty of experience in the batter’s box against him.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, New York is the home favorite at -142, and the run total is set at 8.5. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite prop bet centered around Judge.
Best Aaron Judge Prop Bet on DraftKings Sportsbook
First Plate Appearance: Double (+1100)
11:1 odds qualifies as a bit of a moonshot by my standards, but I like the value for a few reasons.
One, Judge will be feeling good after his three-homer afternoon. The best power hitter in the sport needs no excuse to swing for the fences and should look to be aggressive. Civale throws primarily cutters and sinkers, two pitches Judge loves to mash.
Second, Civale has struggled to the tune of a 5.52 ERA in 31 career innings against the Yankees. That includes 13 earned runs in 19 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. The pressure will be on Civale to throw well and make quick outs after Cortes only provided 2 innings in Friday’s tilt. If he’s aggressive in the zone early, there will be hittable pitches for Judge to square up.
Third, Judge and Civale have a history. The reigning American League MVP is 4/16 lifetime against the former Guardian and Ray. It’s a solid amount of lifetime experience for Aaron, and those four hits include two doubles. Just saying…
The first appearance home run at +750 has some decent value as well, but I like the extra juice you get from a gapper or a ball down the line. Go ahead and get frisky.
