TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 23: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees sprays champagne as they celebrate after clinching a playoff birth following their victory during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 23, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Twins vs. Yankees got off to a hot start in the first inning of the AL Wild Card round. The New York Yankees and their fans are used to clutch play from a shortstop in October, just not this one. The Bronx Bombers fell behind early after Luis Severino only lasted one third of an inning and gave up three runs. To say it looked bleak would be an understatement.
That was until Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge each got on base, setting up the above home run by Didi Gregorius that sent New York into a frenzy. Say what you want about New York sports fans, they love their October baseball.
Gregorius essentially hit the reset button for the Yankees, tying the game at 3-3 and giving them life. The bullpen came in and shut the Minnesota Twins down, going eight and two-thirds innings, giving up just one run and striking out 13 combined. It was a masterful showing and it sets up a matchup with the mighty Cleveland Indians, who have a terrific bullpen of their own.
The Yankees will need their starters to step up against the Indians, who by most accounts don’t have any weaknesses as a ball club. They set the American League record for consecutive wins at 22 this season which vaulted them to the top and secured home field advantage for the playoffs. It will be a tough match up for the young Yankees, who hadn’t won a playoff game since 2012.
New York already shattered expectations this year by making the playoffs in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Don’t make the mistake of counting them out again.
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