2026 Yankees Cruise By White Sox for 44th Win of the Season

New York Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge has been out since May 31st after it was announced on June 5th that he suffered a stress fracture on the right side of his first rib. Since then, the Yankees have gone 7-4 heading into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox. During the first game of this three-game series, New York dominated, scoring four runs in the third and six during the bottom of the fourth to eventually take a 12-2 win at home. With their 44th win of the season, the Yankees stay ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays by two and a half games within the AL East.

Cole’s Best Start in June

Since returning from Tommy John surgery on May 22nd, Gerrit Cole has put up a 2-1 record through five games with a 2.57 ERA. The six-time all-star struggled in his last two outings in June against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing six runs and eight hits through 10 innings pitched. Tuesday night’s win was the best start for the 2023 Cy Young Award winner after he allowed two runs on three hits through six innings. The confidence of the 35-year-old should continue to grow as the season progresses. Cole’s next potential start could come Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds or Monday against the Detroit Tigers. Regardless, with both teams struggling through the 2026 regular season, the six-time all-star should look to make a bigger impact on the mound.

Runs Are Coming Even Without Judge

In six of the Yankees’ games in June, the team has scored over five runs six times. Within those six games, they’ve only lost once on June 14th against the Toronto Blue Jays. Runs are coming in for New York even without their star in Judge, which is huge, especially when he’ll be on the IL for a few more weeks. If the Yankees can continue to score and win without their star player in the daily lineup, New York will be in a prime position to pull away in the AL East.

Can Rice Break His Slump?

Throughout June, Ben Rice has gone 11 for 47 with five RBIs. Four out of those five RBIs came in Tuesday’s win against Chicago and Sunday’s loss to Toronto. Before that, the 27-year-old’s last run batted in came on June 5th. If Rice can break the slump he was in during the first week and a half of June and continue producing like an all-star, he will surely be named to his first MLB All-Star Game. Behind Judge, Rice must continue to be the second-best bat in the lineup and give New York the opportunities to split themselves from the rest of the division.