New York Returns To Fenway Park To Take On Boston In The ALDS
It was just five days ago that New York and Boston met to close out the regular season where New York took two out of three at Fenway Park while Boston won the finale. Now New York will return to Fenway Park for the first two games of the American League Division Series that is a five game series beginning Friday night.
J.A. Happ will start for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 17-6 with a 3.65 earn run average. As for the postseason, J.A. Happ has a record of 1-1 with a 3.72 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/457918/ja-happ Happ has been dominant since the Yankees got him -- he's 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in pinstripes. That includes a six-inning, four-run win over the Red Sox at Fenway on Sept. 28 and six innings of one-run ball against them in New York on Sept. 18. He will oppose Boston left-hander Chris Sale who has a record of 12-4 with a 2.11 earn run average. His postseason career stats though look different as he has a record of 0-2 with an 8.38 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/519242/chris-sale Sale was spectacular in two starts this year vs. the Yankees, allowing just one run while striking out 19 over 13 innings, and went 1-1 in two starts vs. the A’s. He took the loss in each of his two ALDS appearances against Houston last fall. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy&date=2018/10/03
As for how New York got to this point they topped Oakland in the Wild Card Game on Wednesday.
The hours of conversation and planning that the Yankees poured into ensuring they remained alive past the third day of October boiled down to the same blueprint they brought into the year. Allow Luis Severino to showcase his high-octane arsenal, hand the game off to the vaunted bullpen and wait for Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton to crush a ball out of sight. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
It came together mostly as envisioned on Wednesday evening, helping the Yankees post a 7-2 victory over the Athletics in the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium. After the requisite pouring of bubbly and beer, the Bombers will ride the rails to meet the Red Sox for an AL Division Series that opens on Friday night at Fenway Park. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"That Wild Card Game is no joke. It takes years off of you," Judge said. "We were prepared, just like Oakland. It was a tough game, a fun game; you live for those moments. Any big moment like that, you enjoy those situations. You enjoy the pressure. Your back's against the wall; that's what this team is all about." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
A year after recording just one out in his postseason debut, Severino rose to the challenge and rewarded manager Aaron Boone's belief that the right-hander's tantalizing ceiling made him the correct choice to start the winner-take-all contest, holding the A's hitless into the fifth inning while striking out five of the first seven men he faced. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"I think last year, my first time in a playoff game, I was too excited," Severino said. "I was going to go to the mound and treat it like a regular game, hitting my spots and trying to get batters out." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Showcasing crackling velocity and sharp bite on his slider, Severino fanned seven in all, though the All-Star's pitch count escalated quickly due to deep counts and four walks. He found an extra gear when he needed one, firing a 99.6-mph fastball past Marcus Semien with the bases loaded for the final out of the fourth inning. Severino's eyes tilted skyward and he unleashed a primal roar. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Sevy set the tone and came out on a mission," Boone said. "I thought he threw the ball so well. Credit to the A's, though, they made it tough on him. They battled him and he was able to make some big pitches when he really needed to, but they kind of really made him work hard to that point." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Boone permitted Severino to return for the fifth inning, but the rookie skipper walked to the mound tapping his right arm after Jonathan Lucroy and Nick Martini opened that frame with singles. Earning his own measure of redemption after control issues left the Yankees unable to trust him last postseason, Dellin Betances retired all six men he faced, striking out three. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"I've been waiting on this moment for a long time," Betances said. "Last year, I was a cheerleader. I cheerleaded my guys on. Thank God this year I was able to be a part of something special." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Judge put the Yankees on the board almost immediately, following an Andrew McCutchen leadoff walk with a two-run homer off "opener" Liam Hendriks. Judge's projected 427-foot blast, per Statcast™, was his fifth career playoff home run, and Judge joined Reggie Jackson as the only Yankees to hit four homers in their first seven postseason home games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"Judge, that's one of the hardest balls I think he's hit since he came back," Luke Voit said. "That's such a good confidence booster for him, because I know he wants to get that big hit. To start us off with that is unbelievable. He's our leader, he's our captain. We rely on him, and he came up big for us." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
The A's bullpen calmed matters after Judge's homer. Lou Trivino held New York to an infield single and a walk over three scoreless innings, and Shawn Kelley worked a scoreless frame. But the Yanks got to Fernando Rodney and Blake Treinen in the sixth as some in the sellout crowd began to chant, "We want Boston!" Judge connected on an excuse-me double that kicked past first baseman Matt Olson down the right-field line, then scored on Aaron Hicks' double to right-center. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
This is a tough ballpark to play in," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "You know it's going to be loud … it's Yankee Stadium. And sometimes it's difficult to overcome that." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
With Melvin intending to stanch the bleeding at three runs, Rodney was removed in favor of Treinen, but the Yanks continued their attack against the well-regarded Oakland closer. Stanton walked and stole second base before Voit narrowly missed a homer with a shot off the right-field wall, chugging into third base with a two-run triple, the first of his career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Didi Gregorius lifted a sac fly and Voit tumbled into home plate on an awkward slide that had the Yanks' bench laughing, swelling the lead to six runs while putting the champagne and beer on ice in the home clubhouse. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"You always dream big. I thought I got it," Voit said. "Hey, luckily it worked out for me. I got my first triple. I don't know how, but man, this game is fun. I'm having the time of my life." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
Khris Davis broke up the shutout with a two-run homer off Zach Britton in the eighth, but Stanton answered with a 443-foot moonshot in the bottom half of the inning off Treinen for his first postseason homer. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
The Yankees held on to win their seventh consecutive home postseason game, having gone 6-0 in the Bronx during a 2017 run that fell one victory shy of the World Series. It's a run they'll now put to the test against Boston. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
"We're excited," Judge said. "It's going to be a fun series. This place is going to be rocking, Fenway is going to be rocking. Everyone is excited for it." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
SOUND SMART
The Yankees have improved to 2-1 in Wild Card Games, joining the Giants (2-0 in 2014 and '16) as the only clubs to win multiple Wild Card Games. The Yankees are 15-13 in winner-take-all postseason games, including 4-2 since '12, and they are 19-9 in 28 postseason games at the current Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Judge's first-inning homer had an exit velocity of 116.1 mph, making it the hardest-hit postseason homer tracked by Statcast™, but only for a brief time. Stanton shattered that record in the eighth inning, mashing a 117.4-mph blast into the second deck of the left-field seating area. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
YOU'VE ALSO GOTTA SEE THIS
Adeiny Hechavarria entered the game in the sixth inning as a defensive replacement for third baseman Miguel Andujar. A midseason pickup from the Pirates, Hechavarria made a terrific leaping grab to steal a hit from Semien leading off the seventh. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
HE SAID IT
"It's the best feeling in the world. There's nothing better than this stinging feeling. Hopefully we can do it again." -- Voit, on the Yankees' celebration “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The A's challenged the sixth-inning play at home plate that resulted in New York's sixth run when Voit tagged up on Gregorius' sacrifice fly. The call on the field was ruled to stand, with the replay appearing to show that Voit was able to get his right hand on home plate ahead of the tag from Lucroy. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-as-in-al-wild-card-game/c-296995744
As for Boston’s previous game, they hammered New York in the regular season finale on Sunday.
- The Red Sox wrapped up their regular season for the ages on Sunday with yet another rocket from J.D. Martinez, this one a three-run homer to right-center that Eduardo Rodriguez caught in the bullpen while he was warming up. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
Xander Bogaerts, who has been the team's somewhat underrated star all season, clubbed a two-run shot to center onto a black tarp covering a section of bleachers. Mookie Betts officially won the American League batting title that had been all but certain to go to him for days. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
Rick Porcello tuned up for his start in the AL Division Series Game 3 with two hitless innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
"A lot of good signs today offensively. Mookie setting the table and Mitch [Moreland] going the other way and hitting the wall, some good things," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "It was a good way to finish the season but it really doesn't matter. Now it starts. Now we go get ready for whoever we face on Friday. It's going to be a little bit different because we have no idea who we're going to play. Prepare for both and go out there Friday and play." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
Martinez's homer was No. 43 on the season, giving him the most by any Red Sox player in his first season with the club, surpassing Dick Stuart, who had 42 in 1963. Martinez's 130 RBIs are the most by a Boston player since David Ortiz in 2006 and were the most in the Majors this season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
"It's great, it's obviously honoring and stuff like, but I think I'm more proud of us winning 108 games really," said Martinez. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
Bogaerts finished with 23 homers and 103 RBIs. Betts hit .346, becoming the first Red Sox player to win the batting title since Bill Mueller in 2003 and the first to lead the Majors in hitting since Hall of Famer Wade Boggs in 1988. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
"I put in a lot of work to get where I've gotten," said Betts. "Just have to continue to work to stay where I'm at and be the best player I can be." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
With hardly a cloud in the sky on a perfect autumn afternoon, the Red Sox wrapped up their 108-54 season with an enjoyable and nearly stress-free nine innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
The only cause for angst came in the bottom of the first, when Eduardo Nunez had an awkward landing on first base while running out a grounder and appeared to twist his right ankle. But Nunez -- who has had his share of leg ailments -- was able to stay in the game and remains on track to be on the roster for the postseason. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
"He stepped on the pitcher's foot but he's OK," said Cora. "He ran the bases well and moved around well." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Cora was displeased with Rodriguez's focus and execution in Saturday's relief appearance, and he let everyone know it in his postgame news conference. A day later, Rodriguez had a chance to redeem himself and did so, firing a 1-2-3 fifth inning with two strikeouts and earning the win. The Red Sox expect Rodriguez to play in an important role in the postseason, be it as a starter or reliever. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
"That was good," said Cora. "The velocity was good. He threw a changeup to [Brett] Gardner, good pitch there. Backdoor cutter to strike [Aaron] Judge out up in the zone that was a lot better than last night. I talked to him last night and told him, 'You've got one inning tomorrow. We have to pitch with conviction, there's a purpose.' And he did." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
SOUND SMART
The Red Sox are the 12th MLB team since 1900 to win as many as 108 games. They are one of seven AL teams to do it. Cora's win total is the second highest for a rookie manager in history, trailing only Ralph Houk, who got 109 victories with the 1961 Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134
HE SAID IT
"Can't wait. Friday, I can't wait for that one. Went through it last year [as bench coach for the Astros], and it was amazing. For how special that group is [in Houston], I do feel we're in the same boat. It feels the same way. A bunch of athletes that can do a lot of things offensively. Pitching-wise, we're going to be all right. Should be fun." -- Cora “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-beat-yanks-to-close-with-108-wins/c-296716134