For years, MLB has been centered around one particular play: the home run.
It’s the easiest way to score runs in bunches, and for hitters, hitting them usually meant (and means) the possibility of earning better and more lucrative contracts.
Even in a season in which the run-scoring environment is lower than usual, home runs are valuable.
In fact, they are even more valuable than ever: hitters who can prove they can consistently hit them are at a premium.
The New York Yankees have always liked home run hitters: that’s why their history is filled with sluggers, more than aces.
But this season, they have been enjoying incredible power production while limiting long balls when it’s their turn to pitch.
It’s been amazing to watch: the Yankees’ 2022 dominance can be explained in their home run differential.
“From @PaulHembo: The greatest differences in home runs hit/allowed, for teams: Yankees 83/39 +44; Astros 73/45 +28; Braves 72/44 +28; Brewers 72/51 +21; Giants 67/46 +21; Phillies 67/46 +21,” ESPN analyst Buster Olney tweeted.
From @PaulHembo: The greatest differences in home runs hit/allowed, for teams:
Yankees 83/39 +44
Astros 73/45 +28
Braves 72/44 +28
Brewers 72/51 +21
Giants 67/46 +21
Phillies 67/46 +21— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 8, 2022
The Largest Home Run Differential In MLB
The Yankees lead MLB in home runs hit, with 83, which is not really that surprising since they have sluggers such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rizzo, and more.
But they are also the team that has allowed the fewest homers, with 39 so far.
That speaks volumes about their pitching coach, Matt Blake, who has been able to get the best out of the resources he has at hand.
He has turned Nestor Cortes, Jameson Taillon, and Jordan Montgomery into consistent, reliable performers; and he has boosted Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino‘s profiles.
New hitting coach Dillon Lawson deserves credit, too: Judge is having a career-season under his tutelage, and he helped save Gleyber Torres’ career.
Overall, the Yankees are an impressive ballclub, and it may all come down to the home run.
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