Shohei Ohtani vs Aaron Judge HR race watch: Dodgers star inches closer to Yankees captain with 6 games left in regular season
The Major League Baseball hitting stats leaders, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, are in close competition for the league's home run title. With the postseason just around the corner, both players are separated by a narrow margin as they compete for the top spot on the home run leaderboard.
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge leads in several categories, with 55 home runs, 138 RBIs, and 129 walks. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is just two home runs behind Judge with 53 homers.
Judge’s most recent homer came on Sunday during their 7-4 victory against the Oakland Athletics. In the third inning, he hit a 407-foot shot, bringing in a run for his team. Judge recorded two hits in three at-bats, along with two runs, one RBI, and two walks.
Shohei Ohtani’s most recent home run came during the Dodgers' 6-5 victory on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. In the ninth inning, Ohtani hit a 432-foot moonshot that tied the game. He recorded four hits in five at-bats, bringing in two runs and one RBI.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees lead their respective divisions with six games remaining in the regular season. The Yankees (92-64) have a .590 winning percentage and are at the top of the AL East. The Dodgers (93-63) have a .596 winning percentage and lead the NL West.
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are both having great seasons in 2024
In 154 games, Aaron Judge is hitting .323 with a .458 on-base percentage, .695 slugging percentage and a 1.154 OPS. On the other hand, Shohei Ohtani has posted a .301 batting average, .383 on-base percentage, .640 slugging percentage, and a 1.023 OPS.
Ohtani has hit 12 homers in September, while Judge has slowed down, hitting only three so far this month. The Japanese two-way superstar has focused entirely on hitting this season and is scheduled to pitch again for his team in 2025.
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are both having incredible seasons and are expected to win the MVP title in their respective leagues.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to start a three-game series with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. On the same day, the New York Yankees will face the Baltimore Orioles in their series opener.