How Yankees' Aaron Judge had home run predicted by Astros' Justin Verlander

by Felix Pantaleón

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander told Yankees slugger Aaron Judge that he thought Judge would hit a home run in his first at-bat of Tuesday’s 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on July 17, 2018 (7/17/18). The American League won, 8-6, in 10 innings.

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WASHINGTON — For his next trick, Justin Verlander will predict today’s lottery numbers and the outcome of the Russia probe.

Wouldn’t be nuts, considering what he told Aaron Judge.

The Astros’ ace told the Yankees‘ slugger that he would homer in his first at-bat in the American League’s 8-6 win over the National League in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday night.

“‘I got a really good feeling, man,'” Judge said Verlander told him. ‘I think you’re going to hit a homer in this at-bat. Just get ready.'”

It happened.

Judge crushed the second pitch he saw from Nationals righty Max Scherzer for a solo shot in the second inning. It gave the AL a 1-0 lead.

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After fouling back Scherzer’s 95-mph heater on the first pitch, Judge cranked the exact same pitch, which Scherzer left up and in.

Judge, who hit sixth and played left field, finished 1-for-2 with a walk. He didn’t get a hit in last year’s All-Star game, his first. Last year, he won the Home Run Derby.

What does he have planned for next year’s All-Star Game?

“I’ve got to get to that All-Star Game next year. Never know what’s going to happen,” Judge said.

“Last year was a good one, I enjoyed it, got a chance to get in the derby and win it, and this year getting the chance to be around all these great players again, be a starter in this game, get a chance to get a hit, it’s pretty cool. I was kicking myself last year, not getting a hit. I was just thinking, I just got to make contact this year and get a base hit and I’ll be happy.”

What’s more, simply hitting the home run wasn’t the best part for Judge.

Yankees ace Luis Severino caught the blast while warming up in the bullpen.

“That was the best part,” said Judge, who was able to get the ball. “It was meant to be.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.