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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees arrives prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees shut out the San Francisco Giants, 7-0 in the opening game of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.
Hitting in the two-hole of manager Aaron Boone’s Yankees lineup, Judge struck out in his first four plate appearances. He went hitless in the game.
Fans in the sellout crowd of 40,856 at Oracle Park in San Francisco were roaring with each called strike or swinging strikeout.
Yankees fans should not read more into that one game than the fact it was only one game.
Fantasy baseball managers shouldn’t panic because their top pick in this year’s fantasy draft had a horrible night at the plate.
Judge is a superstar. Superstars are entitled to off nights. It may happen again.
See Paul Skenes. See Logan Webb. Both are pitching stars. They both got lit up in their first pitching starts.
But for this old scout, it is fairly safe to assume Aaron Judge will be at the top of the MLB pack in homers, runs scored, and RBIs when the season ends.
As noted by mlb.com, “Judge became the first reigning Most Valuable Player to strike out four times in an Opening Day game.”
Giants starter, Logan Webb, who had a very tough night on the mound, struck Judge out three times.
As reported by sports.yahoo.com, Webb told KNBR radio,“I couldn’t care less. I did a bad job.”
Judge’s unfortunate evening occurred as Netflix was televising their first ever Major League Baseball game.
Netflix has paid Major League Baseball $50M for the right to televise the opening game in 2026, the All Star Home Run Derby, and the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa August 13. The game will feature the Minnesota Twins playing the Philadelphia Phillies.
As foxnews.com pointed out, Aaron Judge “was making a homecoming of sorts when he entered Oracle Park. He grew up in Linden, California, and went to Fresno State before he was later drafted by the Yankees.”
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Aaron Judge’s Track Record:
Aaron Judge is coming off an All Star, Silver Slugger, American League Most Valuable Player season when he hit .331, with 137 runs scored, 30 doubles, two triples, 53 home runs, and 114 RBIs.
Panic? Aaron Judge won’t panic after a horrible night at the plate.
Aaron Judge is a professional slugger.
Some fans may wonder if Judge’s offense is slipping at the age of 33. He turns 34 April 26.
While it is widely believed a professional baseball player’s most productive years are from age 27-30, many players continue their dominance well into their 30’s.
At 6-7, 282 pounds, Aaron Judge is a special player.
He’s huge, and athletic.
Judge plays with intensity. He’s driven.
The Captain of the Yankees, Aaron Judge might be embarrassed by his opening game, but he’s a competitor. He’ll rebound. Perhaps in Game 2, March 27.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after a strike out against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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baseballreference.com projects Judge to hit 45 homers, score 106 runs, and drive in 104. And yes, they project him to strikeout 148 times.
The first four strikeouts are in the books. There will be more where those came from.
And there will be home runs. Plenty of them.
The homers will come.
Judge is the type of player that cares about winning. While he certainly didn’t like his own night at the plate, he was likely thrilled that his Yankees completely dominated the San Francisco Giants.
Judge’s teammates picked him up at the plate. They scored seven runs on 10 hits. Starter Max Fried pitched 6.1 scoreless innings for the win.
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 09: A detail of the New York Yankees uniform during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 09, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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It was a good start for the Yankees.
Not so great for Judge.
Panic? Not yet, please. We’re talking about Aaron Judge.
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