POWER OUTAGE
How far will Yankees slide without Aaron Judge?
Aaron Judge is chasing a third consecutive AL MVP award in 2026.
LEADING OFF
YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Aaron Judge is such an impactful player, the New York Yankees must figure out how to recreate themselves without him.
And will they face an identity shift, or an identity crisis ?
The Yankees lost three of their first five games without Judge after the 6-foot-7 slugger and three-time MVP was lost for several weeks with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. Now, they face a key six-game road swing to Cleveland and Toronto that may answer the question everyone's wondering: How good are they without him?
The Yankees slid one spot to No. 5 in USA Today Sports' power rankings, as an already muddled AL field gets even further complicated. That's not to say the Yankees will get pulled back to the pack. They'll simply have to lean a little more on a starting rotation that ranks fourth in the AL with a 3.12 ERA. And continue getting contributions from players like Jazz Chisholm, on a 19-game heater (four homers, .919 OPS).
And hope for positive updates on Judge.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Atlanta Braves (-)
Among the many reasons they call him Money Michael Harris II: He's 4-for-6 as a pinch hitter, including a game-wimier Sunday.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
Very fortunate a grisly collision didn't disrupt one of MaxMuncy's finest seasons.
3. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)
The Jake Bauers Experience rolls on: He has a pair of four-walk games, has .376 OBP, .891 OPS.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)
In a 3-10 funk, and their advantage over the Yankees has evaporated.
5. New York Yankees (-1)
Spencer Jones, still seeking first homer, goes 3-for-3 in first game following recall.
6. Cleveland Guardians (-)
Starters Gavin Williams, Parker Messick each building strong All-Star cases.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)
Riley O'Brien's 17 saves rank second in majors.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (+7)
Cristopher Sanchez's amazing streak pushes Phillies' rotation to fourth-most innings pitched in NL.
9. San Diego Padres (-2)
Manny Machado sags to .169, .596 OPS. Perhaps "more analytics" is the answer?
10. Chicago White Sox (-1)
Randal Grichuk didn't join team until May but ranks sixth with 19 RBIs.
11. Seattle Mariners (+1)
Cal Raleigh's rehab assignment begins.
12. Chicago Cubs (-2)
Rotation savior Ben Brown has 1.74 ERA, hasn't given up homer in majors-best 56 2/3 innings.
13. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
Corbin Carroll nearly on a 30 -homer pace.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (-3)
Rotation stalwarts Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft each give up six runs to No. 1 Atlanta.
15. Toronto Blue Jays (+3)
Say what? Fill-in catcher Brandon Valenzuela ranks second on team with seven home runs.
16. Cincinnati Reds (-4)
At least Matt McLain starting to awaken, pushing average over .200 and OPS from .614 to .671 in a week.
17. Texas Rangers (+3)
For the sixth time since May 2, they've pulled within a game of .500. Perhaps this time's the charm.
18. Washington Nationals (-1)
Marlins sweep in DC, series win at Arizona continues crazy home (12-20) and road (21-13) fortunes.
19. Athletics (-3)
Perhaps Gage Jump can save this rotation: He's given up just one run in 13/4 innings in two starts away from Yolo County.
20. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
Still just 11-15 in ALEast after losing rubber game at Toronto.
21. Houston Astros (+1)
11-8 since Jeremy Pena's return.
22. Miami Marlins (+2)
Bullpen — with help from the dugout — leads majors with .200 opponents' batting average.
23. New York Mets (-)
Carson Benge becomes first Met rookie to go 5-for-5 with a home run.
24. Minnesota Twins (-3)
Royce Lewis mashed in St. Paul minor-league reset; can he take that to Target Field?
25. Boston Red Sox (+1)
Things getting dicey between team and recently demoted Brayan Bello.
26. Detroit Tigers (+1)
Tarik Skubal back by the weekend? He looks dominant in first rehab start.
27. San Francisco Giants (+1)
Hit a grand slam in every city on nine-game road trip.
28. Kansas City Royals (-3)
Eesh: Bobby Witt leaves game early with knee soreness.
29. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Kochanowicz hits IL with elbow soreness.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
Outscored 28-12 in three-game Coors sweep by Brewers.
