Yankee Aaron Judge and Cardinal Paul Goldschmidt are League MVPs

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have won the American League and National League Most Valuable Player awards, respectively, both taking home their league’s top honor for the first time in each of their historic careers.

Judge — who had previously finished second in AL MVP voting in 2017 and fourth in 2021 — led the American League in two of the three Triple Crown categories, setting an AL single-season record of 62 home runs, while also hitting a league-best 131 RBIs.

“It’s tough to put into words, it’s an incredible moment,” Judge said during his acceptance speech alongside his family after being announced as the winner by Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton

Judge received 28 of 30 first-place votes for a total score of 410 voting points, defeating 2021 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels — who received two first-place votes and 280 points — and Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, who had 232 points.

Goldschmidt won in a much closer vote, claiming 22 of 30 first-place votes for 380 points. San Diego Padres shortstop Manny Machado received seven first-place votes for 291 points and fellow St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado received one first-place vote and earned 232 points.

The first baseman hit for a .317 average, 35 home runs and 115 RBIs, having previously finished in the top 3 for MVP voting three times during his previous stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as sixth in 2021.

How Many Games Will the NY Jets Win? 

It’s that time of year when game predictions, Super Bowl predictions, all that good stuff come flying out the window, only to be completely blown up within the first few weeks of the season.

Nonetheless, we all try to put our thinking caps on and gaze into our crystal ball to see how the season will play out. That’s what Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr recently did, predicting all 272 games of the regular season. And his prediction for the Jets may make some folks a little upset.

Orr has the Jets finishing 6-11 this season, last in the AFC East. That includes a predicted five-game losing streak through their Weeks 5 through 9 stretch against the Dolphins, Packers, Broncos, Patriots and Bills, putting the Jets at 2-7 going into their Week 10 bye.

Orr does have New York winning three straight at the end of the season against the Lions, Jaguars and Seahawks before finishing the season with a loss to the Dolphins.

Rams Receiver Cooper Krupp Will Get Surgery

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will miss at least four weeks after being placed on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, head coach Sean McVay confirmed.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay says WR Cooper Kupp has a high ankle sprain and will require surgery tomorrow. Kupp will go on Injured Reserve.

Kupp experienced the injury during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, having been held to an uncharacteristic three receptions. The All-Pro receiver was seen grabbing his right ankle after the play and walked to the sideline with the assistance of team medical staffer.

Kupp had accounted for 35.7% of the Rams’ receptions during the 2022 season prior to his injury, which is the most among all NFL players.