Judge and Stanton eager to get started as teammates

TORONTO — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball’s best sluggers.

Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

“We can’t wait,” said Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. “We’ve been excited for this since the beginning of spring training.”

Stanton won the 2017 NL MVP award with Miami, then was acquired by the Yankees in a December trade.

“I’m focused, excited, just ready to get some games that mean something,” he said.

Judge hit rookie-record 52 homers and led the American League. Stanton topped the National League with a career-high 59.

“Just really excited that they’re both on my side,” said Aaron Boone, who replaced Joe Girardi as manager,

Boone said he liked what he saw from Stanton during spring training.

“He is really focused,” Boone said. “I think he knows where he’s at in his career, knows the opportunity that’s in front of him with our team, and I’ve been really impressed with the seriousness of the work he puts in behind the scenes to get ready.”

Stanton is an eight-year veteran who has never hit fewer than 20 homers in a season. Judge, however, doesn’t have the same track record, leaving some to wonder whether he can

avoid a sophomore slump.

“Obviously he’s become one of the faces of our game,” Boone said of Judge. “If anyone is

equipped to handle all that goes with being a superstar player for the New York Yankees, I think Aaron is more than capable of that.”

On Thursday, the Yankees will begin finding out how Judge fares when Stanton is standing in the

on-deck circle behind him.

A little more than 24 hours before his managerial debut, Boone said he was less nervous about opening day than he used to be. “Today usually would be an anxious day for me as a player,” Boone said. “Here, I feel pretty relaxed. I’m sure I’ll toss and turn a little bit tonight.” Boone worked as a broadcaster after retiring as a player and had never managed at any level.

Nathan Denette / Associated Press Aaron Judge throws the ball while working out in Toronto on Wednesday. The Yankees face the Blue Jays Thursday on opening day.