Slugger Aaron Judge Looks To Extend His Production As New York Takes On Chicago

New York who has a record of 17-9  will open up a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs who have a record of 16-12 at Wrigley Field starting Friday. Chicago also  won their first world series championship in 108 years  and 34920 days last year. 

Aaron Judge is coming off an impressive outing although hitting a home run is nothing new for the rookie sensation and New York right fielder Aaron Judge who helped defeat Toronto 8-6 but should he really be considered a rookie at this point of the season as his offensive production is off the charts? Shouldn't he be in the conversation for the American League Most Valuable Player? 

His offensive production didn't slow down Wednesday as the twenty-five-year-old dispatched yet another drive to Monument Park in the third inning, barreling a 93.6 mph Marcus Stroman fastball for a two-run blast that cut the Blue Jays' lead to 6-5. Judge's homer was calculated to have traveled a projected 435 feet, coming off the bat at 112.5 mph. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228141598/aaron-judge-sets-record-with-13th-home-run/

Aaron Judge had this to say about his performance Wednesday. "I honestly take it one day at a time," said Judge, who added a pair of singles for his first career three-hit game. "I kind of forget what I did the day before. I'm just going in there like it's Opening Day for me. Go out there, just have some quality at-bats, get up five times. Keep having quality at-bats and good things will happen." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228141598/aaron-judge-sets-record-with-13th-home-run/

New York manager Joe Girardi had this to say about his young New York right fielder.   "He made some adjustments the last couple weeks of Spring Training that really got him going," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We knew he was a good outfielder, knew he could run the bases. We knew all those things. We wanted consistent contact because if a man that size makes consistent contact, there's going to be some damage." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228141598/aaron-judge-sets-record-with-13th-home-run/

Aaron Judge was named the American League's Rookie of the Month for April earlier in the afternoon, and celebrated by completing a homestand in which he hit safely in all six games, going 11-for-21 (.524) with 12 runs, six homers, 12 RBIs and eight walks. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228141598/aaron-judge-sets-record-with-13th-home-run/

Toronto manager John Gibbons had this to say about Aaron Judge. He can mishit a ball and hit it a long way. Generally, when guys mishit balls they're a little late. They get a lot of balls, if you're right-handed, to go to right field, and this is an ideal place for that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228141598/aaron-judge-sets-record-with-13th-home-run/

The Chicago Cubs meanwhile are coming off a thirteenth inning game where they won by a score of 5-4 on an Albert Amora Junior double that later scored on a throwing error by Philadelphia shortstop Freddy Galvis in the 13th inning to lift the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Phillies. It was Chicago's fourth win this season in its last at-bat and its 10th come-from-behind win of the year. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228117074/cubs-walk-off-on-phillies-13th-inning-error/?game_pk=490526

This afternoon's pitching matchup will feature New York right -hander Michael Pineda who has a record of 3-1 to go along with a 3.14 earn run average and thirty -seven strikeouts and is coming off his last outing against Baltimore where he pitched 5/2/3 innings while walking just one and striking out eight. The right -hander has struck out thirty-seven against four walks in 28 2/3 innings but has served up homers in each of his starts. He will go up against Chicago Cubs right -hander Kyle Hendricks who has a record of 2-1 with a 4.18 earn run average to go along with twenty -two strikeouts. This will be his second matchup against an A.L East team. In his last start held Boston to three hits over six innings but one of those was a two -run homer Hanley Ramirez but the right -hander still was encouraged by his overall command. "according to     https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-cubs/2017/05/05/490538#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490538

Will Michael Pineda continue his dominance on the mound? Will the New York offense be able to backup Michael Pineda's start?  Will Aaron Judge hit another monster home run? Will the Chicago Cubs be able to get their offense going against Michael Pineda? 

First pitch is set for 2:20 pm. The game will be televised on Yes and Major League Baseball Network. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-cubs/2017/05/05/490538#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490538