Odds Suggest Aaron Judge Won’t Return Until 2019
- Sportsbooks have created a handful of fresh props for the New York Yankees
- Will Andrew McCutchen snap out of his funk and start hitting homers for the Bronx Bombers?
- Will Aaron Judge return in time to help New York secure a Wild Card berth?
Sportsbooks have turned their attention to the Yankees this month with a series of fun props related to the Bronx Bombers and their odds during baseball’s stretch drive and beyond.
We’ve rounded up the best of the bunch and have included our expert analysis below. Get your bets in soon as these props close for good on Friday, September 7th at 1:00 p.m.
When Will Aaron Judge Have His Next Official MLB At Bat?
| 2018 Odds | 2019 Odds |
|---|---|
| +140 | -180 |
Aaron Judge has been conspicuously absent from the Yankees’ lineup since July 26th when he fractured his right wrist in a game against the Royals. Many within the organization feared his season might be done, but Judge took a big step forward on Monday when he swung a bat for the first time in over a month.
The 6’7″ outfielder reportedly experienced no pain in his wrist afterwards and has been fielding balls and running the bases all week in an attempt to improve his conditioning and hasten his comeback.
The Yankees don’t need to rush Judge back immediately thanks to their stranglehold on a Wild Card spot, but they understand that he needs to get in some reps heading into the playoffs. Expect him to miss one more week as an added precaution and then return to the lineup by September 20th, at the latest.
How Many Home Runs Will Andrew McCutchen Hit in September?
| Over 5.5 | Under 5.5 |
|---|---|
| +100 | -140 |
The Yankees’ acquisition of Andrew McCutchen was met with great fanfare, but so far the former NL MVP has failed to live up to the hype. “Cutch” is batting just .063 and has struck out five times in his first 16 at bats in pinstripes. Surely this isn’t what Brian Cashman had in mind when he sent the Giants a pair of top flight prospects.
McCutchen has averaged just 4.6 home runs during the month of September over the past five years and is unlikely to top that number in 2018 given his rapidly declining slugging percentage. Take the under all the way.
How Many RBI Will Andrew McCutchen Have in September?
| Over 16.5 | Under 16.5 |
|---|---|
| -120 | -120 |
McCutchen’s struggles at the plate have also effected his RBI production. The 31-year-old has averaged just 11 RBI per month in 2018 and is on pace to record his fewest RBI in a season since 2010. Don’t overthink this one. Take the under once again.
How Many Wins Will the Yankees Have in September?
| Over 14.5 | Under 14.5 |
|---|---|
| -120 | -120 |
The Yankees have stumbled out of the gates in September, losing three of their first five games, including a lopsided 11-7 affair to the moribund Tigers. However, there’s reason to believe they’ll bounce back soon. New York plays nine games this month against a trio of sub .500 teams in the Twins, Blue Jays, and Orioles, and should be able to pull out at least six victories in those matchups. That would give the Yankees a solid foundation of nine wins on which to build upon.
New York plays nine games this month against a trio of sub .500 teams in the Twins, Blue Jays, and Orioles.
Their remaining 13 games are considerably trickier as they’ll face three teams with playoff aspirations in the Mariners, Rays, and Red Sox. So far this season, the Yankees are 3-0 against Seattle, 7-8 against Tampa Bay, and 5-8 against Boston. Assuming their luck against these teams remains the same, New York should be able to win another six games. That would bring their monthly total up to 15 victories.
Promising signs for Aaron Judge, Aroldis Chapman & Didi Gregorius as @M_Marakovits delivers the latest #Yankees injury update. pic.twitter.com/ysCSrnVRID
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 5, 2018
That’s not a particularly comfortable margin, but bettors can take solace in knowing that Aaron Judge and Aroldis Chapman are both likely to return soon and will help fill two of the Yankees’ most pressing needs.
Will Aaron Boone Be the Yankees’ Manager at the Beginning of the 2019 Season?
| Yes Odds | No Odds |
|---|---|
| -300 | +200 |
Rumors of Aaron Boone’s shaky job security have been greatly exaggerated. The first year skipper is universally loved by his players and has managed to guide the Yankees to a stellar .621 winning percentage despite significant injuries to Judge, Chapman, Greg Bird, Gary Sanchez, and CC Sabathia.
New York made a long term investment in Boone when it signed him to a three-year deal in December and he’s a virtual lock to return when the 2019 season begins.
Ryan worked as an Editor and resident Lead NBA and MLB Writer for SB from 2017-19. He has authored his own weekly columns for Fox Sports and AskMen, and has created successful campaigns for the WWE, the NHL, and the NFL. Ryan's critically acclaimed stories have been published in 20 books.
