New York Tops Boston To Secure Home Field Advantage For Wild Card Game

Instead of flying out west for the wild card game New York will host Oakland after they topped Boston in the opener of their three game series on Friday night at Fenway Park.

Gary Sanchez, Aaron Hicks, Luke Voit and Aaron Judge homered, leading the Yankees to an 11-6 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park that ensured the AL Wild Card Game against the A's will be played at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. The four homers gave the Yankees 264 for the season, equaling the all-time mark set by the 1997 Mariners. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

"That's huge, getting home-field advantage," Judge said. "You guys saw what happened in the playoffs last year. The fans, there's nothing like it. They've got some kind of magic, man, coming to the jungle. It's a crazy atmosphere. It's what you play for." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

With the venue now secured, manager Aaron Boone said that the final two games of the regular season would be used to rest regulars, dole out at-bats and innings to players who need them, and hammer out the pitching plan for the Wild Card Game. J.A. Happ made his case to start that contest, tossing another solid effort. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

The left-hander blanked the Red Sox over the first five innings before serving up a Steve Pearce grand slam in the sixth, finishing his night with four hits allowed, seven strikeouts and two walks. He would be available to face the Athletics on regular rest and said that he would prepare as though he is getting that assignment. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

"I'd love to get the nod, I can say that, but I think we're going to feel good with whoever is out there," Happ said. "We'll see how it plays out." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

Boone has indicated that Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka are still under consideration to start the Wild Card Game, though Severino is listed as the probable starter for Sunday, likely taking him out of the running. Boone said that the Yanks' power will make them a formidable opponent for Oakland to handle. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

"In a lot of ways, we're built for our ballpark," Boone said. "Our power plays for a lot of our guys, especially our right-handed hitters. They use that right field to their advantage. I think it's played out that we've been a very good team at home. I love the fact that our fans will get to be making the right kind of noise for us." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

Red Sox starter Brian Johnson allowed three runs in three innings, including Sanchez's 18th homer leading off the third. New York pounded William Cuevas for six runs in one-third of an inning, with Gleyber Torres' two-run double preceding a three-run homer from Hicks, his 27th. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

This team comes in day in, day out, ready to play games," Hicks said. "Obviously, we're hitting home runs. It feels awesome."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

Voit cracked his 13th homer in the seventh off Drew Pomeranz, and Judge equaled the '97 Mariners' record in the eighth as he connected for his first homer since returning from the disabled list, a solo shot to straightaway center off Bobby Poyner. Judge's 27th homer was his first since July 21. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

"The power and stuff like that will come once the wrist keeps getting stronger," Judge said. "I've just been worried about having quality at-bats. If I swing at the right pitches, usually I'll hit a couple out." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

SOUND SMART
Miguel Andujar's double in the fourth inning was his 44th of the season, tying Joe DiMaggio's 1936 tally for the most by a Yankees rookie. Andujar's 73 extra-base hits are the third most by a Yankees rookie, behind DiMaggio's 88 in '36 and Judge's 79 last year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

HE SAID IT
"He's a warrior. He competes. You can see it in his eyes from the minute he walks out on that mound. Any start, he wants to throw the first pitch and the last pitch of that game. That's the type of guy he is. He's got a lot of fire, and that's who I want on the mound. It's fun to play behind a guy like that." -- Judge, on Happ “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Red Sox challenged a call in the top of the fourth, checking to see if Sanchez touched home plate on Torres' two-run double. The drive struck the Green Monster and ricocheted to center fielder Mookie Betts, who tossed to the infield. Xander Bogaerts' relay throw arrived behind Sanchez, who scored standing up while planting his right foot on the plate. After a review, the call stood, giving New York a 4-0 lead. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-296405798

With the win, New York improves to 99-61 while Boston drops to 107-53 on the regular season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

UP NEXT
Lance Lynn (9-10, 4.80 ERA) will make his final start of the regular season on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET as the Yankees and Red Sox continue their three-game series at Fenway Park. Lynn is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) since joining the Yankees in late July, and is expected to be utilized as a reliever during the postseason. Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 3.88 ERA) is scheduled to start for Boston. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-to-host-al-wild-card-game/c-29640579