Aaron Judge begins AL MVP defense with three home runs — in four innings

Aaron Judge left his early-season struggles in 2024 — and his MVP defense is off to a fast start.

Last season’s woeful opening month led to some April booing before the Yankees’ captain turned the campaign into his second MVP nod, but in his second game of the 2025 season, Judge crushed three homers in his first three at-bats Saturday against the Brewers in a 20-9 win.

He became the fourth Yankee with at least three three-homer games, joining Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez.

Judge finished with four hits and eight RBIs.

Judge’s first homer capped a stretch to start the game that featured back-to-back-to-back homers from the right fielder, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger against former Yankee Nestor Cortes.

His second one — a grand slam — two innings later prompted a curtain call.

And after his third one cleared the centerfield fence, the “MVP” chants — a regular backdrop to any Judge at-bat at Yankee Stadium — added some additional decibels.

Aaron Judge hitting a grand slam on Saturday afternoon for the Yankees.

Aaron Judge rounds the bases on his second long ball on Saturday.

Aaron Judge celebrates his second homer of the day.

The Yankees crushed nine homers during the win, breaking a team record.