MLB Sets Record for Home Runs Prior to All-Star Break

Major League Baseball entered the weekend's All-Star break collecting 3,343 home runs as a whole. The output broke the previous record of 3,312 set in 2000 for most first-half home runs, per Sportsnet Stats.

New York Yankees rookie Aaron Judge led the way, hitting 30 to lead Houston Astros leadoff hitter George Springer by three and star sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Votto by four. Judge also slugged his way through the Home Run Derby in Miami, taking down Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano—who owns 21 homers this season—in the finals to claim the victory.

From a team perspective, the Astros lead the way with 148 home runs. The Milwaukee Brewers own the second spot with 138 long balls of their own. The Texas Rangers (135), Tampa Bay Rays (133) and Yankees (132) round out the top five.

Coincidentally, the Astros and Brewers both lead their respective divisions. Despite a somewhat mediocre rotation, Houston has simply outhit opponents, scoring a league-high 527 runs this season. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers—who have allowed 44 fewer runs than any other team in baseball—sport a better run differential.

While rumors have circulated, per CBS Sports' Jonah Keri, about possible juiced baseballs, but MLB commissioner Rob Manfred denied any change outside of the specified limits. Other factors that could explain the increase include higher velocity pitches resulting in faster exit velocities off the bat and a league tendency to favor home run hitters over contact hitters.

Regardless of the reason, the league has enjoyed a historical power surge matched only during the steroid era. If the second half brings about similar results, it should be an exciting push toward the playoffs.