YANKS ARE BACK IN THE ALCS: Beat Royals in 4
Yankees win ALDS, via MLB.com
START SPREADIN’ THE NEWS… For the fourth time in the last seven years, the Yankees find themselves back in the ALCS. After an intense series win against the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, the Yankees will make their 19th ALCS appearance, which is the most since the championship series was introduced in 1969. The last time the Yankees found themselves here was back in 2022, coming off a very extensive ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, which led to a Houston Astros sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS. They used everything they had to win that ALDS. The team had nothing to hit Houston with. This time, things are different. This team is much better than the 2022 Yankees. That team went as far as Aaron Judge took them offensively, and he came up short. This team has Soto, Stanton, Volpe, Wells, Verdugo, and Torres lighting it up.
Last night’s game was the perfect game for the Yankees. They needed that exact game at that precise time. Gerrit Cole got it together, pitched a gem, 7 IP, and allowed one run. Only with four strikeouts, which isn’t peak for Cole, allowed six hits but didn’t allow any but one to score. The bullpen was incredible in this series, not allowing a single earned run in 15.2 IP. Luke Weaver at the closer position has paid off well, and having Tommy Kahnle/Clay Holmes as the 1-2 set-up pitchers has been deadly to opposing batters. The pitching was terrific, and the bats are starting to get going. From the get-go, I said this team goes as far as Stanton takes them because if Soto, Judge, and Stanton are firing on all cylinders, then no pitcher on God’s green earth can manage that. And Stanton has delivered on that; I’m a heavy Stanton critic, but there was nothing to criticize over the last two games. Judge is also starting to get going with two walks and a hit last night. The team looks promising and will face a Tigers/Guardians team that only gets one day of rest. The Tigers remind many of a lessened version of the 2017 Baby Bombers, which could be an exciting matchup. In recent memory, the Yankees have victimized the Guardians whenever they’ve matched up. Will this be more of the same? Is this finally the year? Subway Series in 2024?
The Yankees are off to the ALCS.
