Aaron Judge home run tracker: 11 away from breaking AL record

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is 11 home runs away from breaking the MLB American League record of 61 in a season, set in 1961 by Yankees outfielder Roger Maris.

As of Thursday afternoon, Judge has hit 51 homers on the season for the AL-leading Yankees, meaning he needs just 10 to tie and 11 to surpass Maris’ 61-year-old record.

The achievement would certainly help Judge’s AL MVP case and his bid for a new contract. The four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger is set to become a free agent after the 2022 season.

He’s also only one home run shy of matching his personal best, which came in 2017, when he led the league with 52 homers en route to being crowned AL Rookie of the Year.

Here’s the latest from Judge.

What happened last game: Judge hit his 51st homer Tuesday in the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Judge is batting .296 on the season with 110 RBIs through Tuesday’s game.

Aaron Judge’s 51st HR gives Yankees big lead over Angels

Aaron Judge’s 51st homer gives the visiting Yankees a huge lead over the Angels.

Current pace: 63 (would tie for sixth-most in MLB history)

Games remaining: 31

Next game: The Yankees begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Judge has hit seven home runs in 13 games against Tampa Bay this season. However, the Rays have allowed just 30 home runs in 37 games since the All-Star break, the fewest of any AL team.

Contract status: Judge and the Yankees were unsuccessful in negotiating a long-term contract prior to the start of the 2022 season. The All-Star reportedly rejected a seven-year, $213.5 million extension in spring training, and the two parties avoided arbitration in June with a $19 million deal for 2022.