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Biggest winners and losers from MLB’s first month

Caption: Apr 30, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) celebrates with Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) and Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: New York Yankees

April was kind to the Bronx Bombers.

The first thing to notice is the record. At 15-8, the Yanks finished April tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the American League.

But how the record was achieved is far more impressive.

New York’s starting pitching was a question entering the 2017 season. But Yankee starters finished the month with a 3.76 ERA, the fourth-best total in the American League and ninth best in all of baseball. Their 1.17 WHIP is the best mark in either league.

Aaron Judge entered the year with some promise. But in 84 Major League at-bats in 2016, he slashed at .179/.263/.345 and struck out 42 times. It was fair to wonder if he was MLB ready.

With a .303/.411/.750 slash line and 10 home runs (which tied a rookie record for April), it’s pretty clear that he’s ready to go.

Now, how good can this team be when Gary Sanchez returns? What about when Clint Frazier and Gleyber Torres finally come up?

New York hasn’t won a single playoff game since Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS. The Yankees were swept in that year’s ALCS, missed the playoffs in 2013 and 2014, lost the AL Wild Card Game in 2015 and missed the playoffs in 2016. For this team, that’s an insufferably long drought. It’s just not going to last a lot longer.

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