Aaron Judge’s 362nd career homer moved him into sole possession of fourth on the Yankees’ all-time list, a milestone punctuating a 4-1 win at Fenway and keeping New York atop the wild AL East chase. The 468-foot blast swept over the Green Monster and capped Judge’s 47thHR of the year, a performance teammates hailed as a spark that fuels a rising, MVP-esque run as the Yankees push toward Toronto.

Judge’s milestone came amid a strong early effort from the Yankees, with six scoreless frames from Luis Gil and a productive night at the plate from Rice and Caballero, while Boston stalled. The win gives NYY a 1.5-game cushion over Boston, and the scene set reflects the club’s blend of historic lineage and current-level dominance as the pennant race heats up.

The Yankees sit three games back in the AL East with 18 to play, chasing a four-game swing against Toronto aided by a tiebreaker in the Blue Jays’ favor. NYY’s plan centers on riding their stars while balancing the lineup—Caballero at short could replace Volpe, and Judge, Bellinger, and Grisham must power the offense as Volpe’s drastic dip raises questions about playing time and future roles.

The bullpen must stabilize after a brutal loss, and the schedule offers relief: Detroit, Boston, then a string of non-contenders. If NYY can pattern a 13-5 finish while TOR halts at 9-9, the division could flip, though the odds are steep and every win counts for fantasy managers watching who plays and when.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. exited the series finale against Houston with apparent knee discomfort after an at-bat against Cristian Javier, being replaced by Jose Caballero as New York clung to a 2-1 lead.

Contusions to both knees were later reported by multiple outlets, though the cause remains unclear. Chisholm has been a bright spot in the second half with 11 homers and 16 steals, amplifying the concern for the Yankees’ lineup as they push for down-the-stretch impact.