ATLANTA — After the Yankees limped the All-Star break riding a month-long slump that has them in second place, manager Aaron Boone’s first comments before the first game of the second half were filled with the usual optimism. There was talk about the Yankees having an “opportunity to do something special” and being “in a position to make that run.”

The Yankees open the second half against the Braves and have a unique starting rotation for the series that includes Ian Hamilton

In the midst of what could end up being his third AL MVP season in the last four years, Aaron Judge hopes to join follow in the footsteps of New York Yankees legends Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera by playing into his 40s.

If Judge stays relatively healthy over the rest of his career, he is going to blast past someone among the Core Four in Yankee mythology.

TBD; Braves: Spencer Strider (3-7, 3.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 74 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves host the New York Yankees on Friday to begin a three-game series. Atlanta has a 24-22 record at home and a 42-53 record overall.