Dodgers and Yankees Off to Impressive Starts, Ohtani and Judge Heating Up

Los Angeles and New York's star players are finding their groove after slow starts to the season.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:25pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are both off to strong starts this MLB season, with their star players like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge finally starting to hit. The Dodgers have won 7 of their first 9 games, while the Yankees are 7-2 despite not needing Judge to carry the team. Both teams' top sluggers are now finding their rhythm at the plate after slow starts.

Why it matters

The early success of the Dodgers and Yankees, two of baseball's powerhouse franchises, is an encouraging sign for the competitiveness of the 2026 season. Ohtani and Judge, the reigning MVPs of their respective leagues, heating up is also a boost for the sport as a whole, drawing more attention and excitement around the game's biggest stars.

The details

The Dodgers have won 7 of their first 9 games, led by a breakout performance from rookie outfielder Andy Pages, who is batting .471 through the first two weeks. Los Angeles' quartet of star sluggers - Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman - struggled early but have since found their groove, combining for 31 runs in a 3-game series against the Nationals. The Yankees, meanwhile, have allowed just 15 runs all season and have gotten contributions from up and down their lineup, with even Giancarlo Stanton swiping a base. Ohtani and Judge, the reigning MVPs, each have three straight multi-hit games after slow starts to the year.

  • Ohtani had not driven in a run until Friday, April 4, when he homered in that game and again on Sunday, April 6.
  • The Dodgers and Yankees are both 7-2 through their first 9 games of the 2026 season.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels' two-way star, the reigning American League MVP, who is just starting to heat up at the plate after a slow start to the season.

Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees' slugger, the reigning American League MVP, who is also finding his groove after a slow start to the year.

Andy Pages

A rookie outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is off to a blistering 16-for-34 start at the plate.

Mookie Betts

The Dodgers' star outfielder who was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain but is expected to return soon.

Freddie Freeman

The Dodgers' veteran first baseman and one of the team's star sluggers.

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What’s next

The Dodgers will head to Toronto for a 3-game series against the Blue Jays, the first meeting between the teams since Los Angeles beat Toronto in Game 7 of the World Series last year.

The takeaway

The early-season success of the Dodgers and Yankees, two of baseball's most dominant franchises, coupled with the resurgence of their star players, suggests an exciting and competitive 2026 MLB season is on the horizon. The ability of these teams to win while their top sluggers find their rhythm bodes well for the overall quality of play and entertainment value for fans.