The Yankees have a new dynamic duo brewing early this season.
Aaron Judge and Ben Rice went back-to-back in the third inning setting the tone for Max Fried to dominate the Rangers in their 4-2 win on Monday night. When Rice’s two-run shot went over the left-center field fence, it was his 10th of the season, tying Judge for the team lead. However, the Captain got his lead right back lasering a line-drive over the left-field wall.
The pair have combined to hit 21 HR this season. That’s more homers than 5 teams have hit — Red Sox, Mets, Brewers, Marlins, Giants. They are also first set of teammates in MLB history with at least 10 HR and 20 walks before the end of April, per Katie Sharp.
The early offense for the Bombers was plenty for their ace to work with,
Max Fried tossed six shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five. The southpaw lowered his season ERA to 2.09 and hasn’t allowed a run in his past two outings.
Jazz Chisholm also appears to have woken up as the infielder joined the homer party with a solo shot in the fourth inning.
As far as Aaron Boone’s bullpen, Camilo Doval allowed a solo shot to Joc Pederson in the seventh, Tim Hill worked in and out of trouble in the eighth and David Bednar also allowed a run in an inning of trouble, however, he was able to secure the final out and a 4-2 victory.
Boone will turn to star Cam Schlittler for Tuesday night’s matchup. The young right-hander will look to continue his strong season and improve his 1.77 ERA. However, veteran right-hander Jacob deGrom will take the hill for the Rangers. It will be a battle of old-vs-young as deGrom is still effective with is 2.13 ERA
