A record that no one would’ve ever thought a switch-hitting catcher would break, Seattle Mariners’ superstar catcher Cal Raleigh, aka the Big Dumper, has surpassed it. Ken Griffey Jr., who long held the iconic single-season mark of 56 home runs for the Mariners, fell on Saturday as Raleigh crushed his 57th. On the same night, at Camden Yards, Aaron Judge hit his 49th homer and is now only one more hit away from his 50th. His next swing has the potential to place him in the company of Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa for being the only players in history to record four separate 50-homer seasons.

Both top contenders of the intensified AL MVP race had reason to celebrate, though on different levels. Right now, both are making exceptionally strong cases for the ultimate AL MVP.

While some analysts and executives argue in Aaron Judge’s favor, others, including NFL veteran and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard, had a decisive choice already.

After Raleigh’s historic feat in the Mariners’ 6-4 win over the Houston Astros, Huard didn’t just side with Raleigh. Instead, he publicly declared him MVP. “CAL!!!!!!!!!!! MVP. “Greatest @Mariners HR hitter ever,” he noted on X. Given that the NFL veteran has Seattle roots, having played for the Seattle Seahawks and serving as a Seattle radio host for a long time, his stance came out biased.

Largely because we’re still in the race and both Raleigh and Judge are making compelling cases for the AL MVP. To keep track, as we enter Sunday, Judge has a .329 batting average, 49 home runs, 105 RBIs and 1.129 OPS. Meanwhile, Raleigh is hitting .246 with 57 home runs, 119 RBIs, and a .947 OPS. Beyond these numbers, there are some factors that make Aaron Judge’s MVP case a little stronger.

What gives Aaron Judge a little extra edge in the AL MVP race?

While both Raleigh and Judge have displayed how unstoppable they can be, Judge’s case is appearing a little stronger. Apparently, Aaron Judge is only one week away from adding another incredible feat to his already decorated career. The three-time home run champion had set the AL record with 62 home runs back in 2022. And now, he’s closing in on something completely different. He’s close to leading the majors in hitting.

As we only have seven games remaining for this season, Aaron Judge is entering with a .329 average. That is 11 points ahead of the Oakland Athletics’ Jacob Wilson. It’s the gap that could help him secure his first batting title. Interestingly, that’s not it.

He is right on pace to conclude this season as the league leader in all three major slash line categories. With his batting average being .329, on-base percentage .452 and slugging percentage .677. Standing 6-foot-7, Aaron Judge could become the tallest player to win a batting title. His motivation to achieve all of it?

Hear it from the man himself. “Having a lot of great coaches around you and a lot of great players around you helps motivate you and show you the way. They may say this, but they don’t know what kind of player you are.” He said to USA Today.

Now, as we move past each game, the AL MVP race is only going to get more tense. Both Raleigh and Judge are putting up incredible seasons that make a strong case for the award. However, Judge’s case is looking a bit different right now and this week could change a lot.