Sportsbooks may owe Aaron Judge a thank you letter.
The hype surrounding his record-tying 61st home run filled their pockets over the past week as everyone scrambled to bet on history. And that should only continue now that he's one shy of breaking the American League record.
“Judge’s home run market has been one of our most popular MLB markets of all time," said Christian Cipollini, a Sports Trader at BetMGM who helps set lines and odds. "We expect to continue to see this action until he hits [number] 62 and possibly after that, if he can extend the AL home run record."
Since hitting his 60th last week virtually every bet on "Aaron Judge Over/Under 0.5 Home Runs" has poured in on the over.
Judge took his time — eight games — before finally tying Roger Maris' single-season American League record Wednesday night against the Blue Jays. During that span Judge to homer was the most bet MLB player prop every night at DraftKings. That's only happened five other times this year.
The seven-game homerless streak he snapped was tied for his second-longest of the season.
“We’ve been putting up props daily, all focused on when Aaron Judge would hit number 61. He connected last night and so did the bettors," said Johnny Avello, DraftKings Director of Race & Sports Operations. "The action has been tremendous. We’ll continue this process as there is a record that could be broken and a Triple Crown to possibly win.”
Sportsbooks don't disclose exactly how much money they take on any given day — but after padding their coffers with losing bets all week, its safe to assume they could afford paying out Judge's homer prop Wednesday night.
Tougher Road to 62
With playoff baseball right on the doorstep, Judge has seven regular season games left to hit his 62nd and break the record.
That could be even tougher to do now that the Yankees have clinched a playoff, likely equaling rest for some of their stars.
Opposing pitchers have already made cashing his home run prop tough enough.
In Judge's 32 at-bats before homering on Wednesday, he walked 12 times.
It's not fun to be on the opposite end of a home run highlight — let alone a historic one– and it'd be surprising if Judge didn't see more of the same on the road for 62.
His next chance to break the record is Friday, when the Yankees play the Orioles at home. Check back for his home run odds later once they post.
