Luis Severino Tabbed For Wild Card Game As New York Host Oakland

The regular season is now in the rearview as New York who is a member of the American League East will host Oakland who is a member of the American League West on Wednesday for the wild card game with the winner advancing to the American League Division Series where they will take on Boston.

New York finished the regular season with a record of 100-62 while Oakland finished the regular season with a record of 97-65. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

Luis Severino will start the wild card game for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 19-8 with a 3.39 earn run average. As for his postseason stats he’s 1-1 with a 5.63 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/622663/luis-severino Severino starts the AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium for a second straight year. He'll be out to prove what happened in 2017 was a fluke -- the flamethrower was knocked out by the Twins in the first inning after allowing three runs and two homers. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Oakland right -hander Liam Hendriks who will be the opener. He comes into the game with a record of 0-1 with a 4.13 earn run average. As for his postseason stats, he has a record of 0-0 with an earn run average of 5.40. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/521230/liam-hendriks The A’s will try to bullpen their way to a win in the AL Wild Card Game, as Hendriks will get his ninth nod as an opener. The righty tossed a perfect first inning as an opener against the Yankees on Sept. 4. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for New York’s previous game, They lost to Boston to closeout the regular season.

The Yankees concluded the regular season with a 10-2 loss to the Red Sox, with rookie manager Aaron Boone having piloted the franchise to the third-best record in the Majors. Now they will turn their full attention to the American League Wild Card Game matchup with the Athletics, scheduled for Wednesday in New York at 8 p.m. ET. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"I'm really excited to go chase it down," Boone said. "It's an opportunity. None of us should take it lightly, the opportunity to get into the postseason and the chance you have in front of you. Hopefully, we put our best foot forward and start Wednesday night."

Capping the Yankees' winningest season since their 103-win campaign in 2009, Miguel Andujar slugged a record-tying double to put the finishing touches on an impressive first big league campaign and Luke Voit hit the club's 267th home run of the year, extending their Major League record. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

The drive was Voit's 14th since being acquired from the Cardinals in a late July trade, and as Aaron Judge told the barrel-chested slugger in their boozy playoff-clinching celebration last week, the club might not be in this position without him. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"I haven't hit always for power, but it's something I've grown into," Voit said. "I'm learning a lot about my body and what I can do with my swing. It's finally connected. I wish it had happened earlier, but I used to be a catcher, so I learned a lot from that with how pitchers are going to attack me. I guess I'm a slow learner, but hey, it's going good so far." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

New York took the first two games of the weekend series, and with home-field advantage for the AL Wild Card Game decided, the Yankees started Luis Cessa in place of Luis Severino. Boston displayed some of the firepower that helped it compile 108 wins during the regular season while finishing eight games ahead of New York in the AL East. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

Cessa was charged with four runs (three earned) in one-third of an inning before exiting with a right ankle injury sustained in a collision at first base with Eduardo Nunez, a frame that included errors by Judge and Cessa. Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer off Jonathan Loaisiga in the second inning and J.D. Martinez cracked a three-run blast in the fourth off Justus Sheffield. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

Andujar's fourth-inning double off Bobby Poyner was his 47th, equaling the AL rookie record set by Fred Lynn of the 1975 Red Sox. The Major League record is held by Johnny Fredrick of the 1929 Brooklyn Robins. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"I'm just trying to hit the ball hard," Andujar said through an interpreter. "Get a good pitch to hit, hit it hard somewhere and if it falls in the gap, I'm going to keep running." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

Though the Red Sox claimed the season series between the division rivals, 10-9, the clubs may not have to wait long for a rematch. If the Yankees defeat Oakland on Wednesday, they would return to Boston the next day, preparing to face the Red Sox in the AL Division Series beginning on Friday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"There's no tomorrow [on] Wednesday," Boone said. "You pour everything you can into Wednesday and trying to win that game. I guess there's always a big picture involved, and we're in this thing to win the whole thing, but first things first. It's pouring everything we have into winning Wednesday." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
The score was not close, but the Yankees were watching closely when rookie Stephen Tarpley took the mound in the fifth inning. The 25-year-old is receiving strong consideration to make the postseason roster as a situational left-hander, and Tarpley continued to impress by striking out four over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances (eight innings). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"It would be a dream, honestly," Tarpley said. "It's out of my control. I did my job and I did what I had to do. I'll let the cards play. … If I get ahead of guys, it's the same style of baseball -- get my ground balls, get my strikeouts once I get ahead. If I fall behind, that's where I get hurt. I'm just learning to be a little bit more consistent than I had been, and consistently in the zone." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

SOUND SMART
Voit has homered in each of his last four games against the Red Sox (five homers, eight RBIs). That is tied for the second-longest streak by a Yankee in the last 100 seasons, equaling a feat Lou Gehrig accomplished in 1927 and 1931. Mickey Mantle homered in five straight games vs. Boston in 1954. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

"Things are finally clicking," Voit said. "I got right with my hitting coaches, I'm learning a lot about myself and just sticking to it. I always knew I could hit. It's finally getting a chance to play every day and getting everyday at-bats and seeing guys, learning from what they did to me previously and how they're going to attack my weaknesses." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

HE SAID IT
"I'm sure I'll have butterflies. I'm excited about it. All of the guys have been talking about how Yankee Stadium is awesome [in the playoffs]. I can't wait. I can't wait for the 'Luuuke!' chants. Hopefully there's a lot of them." -- Voit “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878

As for Oakland, Like New York, they lost their last regular season game as they were topped by the Los Angeles Angels.

The A's were three outs away from capping the regular season in winning fashion on Sunday afternoon, before right-hander Chris Hatcher was tagged for three runs in a 5-4 walk-off loss at Angel Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

It didn't much matter, though. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

The postseason awaits these A's, who came up short with a chance to win 98 games for the first time since 2002. Still, they're plenty pleased with a 97-65 campaign that marks a 22-win improvement from last season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

"It's great," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Shoot, we're thrilled with where we are at this point, and now the fun starts. It's not like the season hasn't been fun, but the postseason is a different level, so everybody is excited about getting out there." “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

I feel like we're ready to get there and get it going," designated hitter Khris Davis said. "We know we got a challenge ahead of us, but that's when we play our best." “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

Davis, who was in pursuit of 50 homers, sat on 48 as the clock ran out but finished 0-for-2 -- "I was trying, and it never works out that way," he said -- to post a .247 batting average for the fourth consecutive season. Stephen Piscotty and Franklin Barreto delivered the big flies, meanwhile, connecting for two-run shots. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

Piscotty, one of five A's players to surpass the 20-homer mark, finished with a career-high 27. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

"That might have been as good a ball as he's hit all year," Melvin said. "We were trying to get everyone at least an at-bat, and if they were comfortable with a couple we were gonna do that, but after that one Stephen seemed to be comfortable with coming out, so it was a good way to end his season, and it was a heckuva season." “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

Lefty Brett Anderson gave the A's three innings, allowing two runs ahead of a bullpen takeover. The A's, needing to provide postseason tuneups to several of their key relief arms, did just that with Lou Trivino, Yusmeiro Petit and Ryan Buchter. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

All three secured scoreless innings, as did J.B. Wendelken -- the right-hander turned in his 10th consecutive scoreless appearance -- and Emilio Pagan, ahead of Hatcher's entrance. Wendelken's continued excellence has likely earned him a spot on the Wild Card Game roster. “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

"It's been performance," Melvin said. "Mostly mop-up stuff to start and maybe a couple innings of length if we needed if we were behind, and the next thing you know he's in Seattle going through the middle of the order a couple times, and you look up and you look at the numbers, it's been a quick ascend, and for good reason. He's got good stuff, and he's gaining confidence. We think he's going to be a heckuva pitcher."

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Catcher Beau Taylor smacked a double to right field in the fifth inning for his first Major League hit, reaching second safely but only after slipping on his way to second.”according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

"That was great," Melvin said. "He's never going to forget that. There's first hits, and then there's first hits that are a little more dramatic than others. It wasn't a home run, but when you faceplant going around first base, it's one you're never going to forget. Everybody was pretty excited about that one -- both ends of it, the hit and the faceplant." “according to https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/as-lose-in-walk-off-in-regular-season-finale/c-296662356

First pitch is set for 8:08pm from Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-ties-doubles-mark-in-yanks-loss/c-296694878 The game will be televised on TBS. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/schedule