YANKEES WIN A CLOSE ONE! WILL THE MOMENTUM CARRY OVER TO GAME TWO?
Yankees Outfield, via AP/Adam Hunger
An October win is a win. The Yankees pull out a close one against the Kansas City Royals in game one of the ALDS to give them a 1-0 series lead. Game One had five lead changes, which set a record for most in a baseball postseason game. It was a highly contested game, as Yankee Ace Gerrit Cole didn't look too great after his long rest. He turned in 5+IP, 7 H, 3 ER, and 4 Ks. It was not up to "the Ace" Ge" rit Cole standards, but the Royals pitching bailed the offense out. The Royals walked the Yankees eight times in game one, which tied to the most walks they allowed this season. The RoyaRoyals'rter, Michael Wacha, gave them 4IP and allowed three runs. The Yankees got him out quickly, and they used five relievers from their bullpen. The Yankee offense was active throughout the whole game, besides DH Giancarlo Stanton. He had runners on multiple times and either struck out or didn't give an RBI. It was not a great start for Stanton, but the "Cap" ain" Aa" on Judge also did not have a great game. Both combined for zero hits in 8 at-bats with five strikeouts and two walks. However, Torres, Soto, and Verdugo rose to the occasion and delivered a great game. Verdugo brought home the game-winning run, and Clay Holmes delivered a great relief performance. They needed somebody to hold it down for two innings, and he continues his no-runs allowed in the postseason streak.
It was a good win for the Yankees as they managed to shut down the young star, SS Bobby Witt Jr. He went 0-5 with a strikeout and had a chance to get on base with the game on the line in the ninth. So far, the new experiment of having Luke Weaver as the closer has worked out very well. Weaver was asked to deliver four outs, and he did so. Clay Holmes in the setup role alongside Tommy Kahnle is a great move, a well-managed game by Aaron Boone. I would've liked to see more of Cole in that 6th inning, as I believe in the ace, but it was a good move. More well-managed games by Boone and the Yanks could find themselves in the World Series.
Game Two will see lefty Carlos Rodon pitching for the Yanks and lefty Cole Ragan for the Royals. The Yankees faced Ragans last month, and he went 6 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, and 7 Ks. The Yankees would win that game but in extra innings. Rodon pitched against the Royals twice this season, and the Yankees won both games. He combined for a 2.08 ERA, 12 Ks, and 13 IP with a 1-0 record in both games this season. It should be a favorable matchup for the Yankees, but the offense cannot rely on Soto to carry them through this series. Judge and Stanton have to find their stride and improve. The series looks promising.
Royals and Yanks, Game Two in the Bronx.
