Once the New York Yankees completed a sweep of the Boston Red Sox in their American League Wild Card Series, it was difficult not to notice that they looked like a completely different team than the one that struggled to remain consistent at different points of the regular season.
New York outscored Boston 18-2 in the opening series of their postseason, and their pitching staff rose to the occasion in convincing fashion. Both served as key indicators that the Yankees could be ready to take down the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series.
“That was very satisfying to play that well in these two games…,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the team’s performance against Boston. “They played great and beat a really good team that deserves a lot of credit for was down and out in the middle of the season and fought their way back to being no-doubt into the playoffs by the end. Just really pleased with how we played. Obviously, we're really going to enjoy that and excited to get our shot at a really good Tampa club.”
The Yankees have the needed firepower to surprise the Rays
Cam Schlittler dominated through 6.1 scoreless innings in his Game 1 wild card masterpiece against the Red Sox, and is slated to pitch Game 2 and a potential Game 5 against the Rays. Put bluntly, the ace has been outstanding, and may continue to build on what is already a strong postseason resume.
Outside of Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon all figure to be important contributors against Tampa Bay. Additionally, relievers like Paul Blackburn and David Bednar were not taxed in the opening series of the playoffs, and should be rested enough to make impactful appearances.
Article Continues BelowFor as strong as the Yankees’ staff appeared against the Red Sox, it may have been the lineup that ultimately stole the show.
Boston attempted to throw multiple left-handed pitchers in an attempt to keep hitters like Ben Rice, Luis Garcia Jr., and Cody Bellinger at bay. But this strategy did not work. The Bombers’ lefties hit well against the opposition’s southpaws, making the need for a right-handed bat a non-factor.
“We have some guys that are good left on left,” Boone said after the series. “Some of their guys aren't necessarily lefty specialists. There are a couple that were really tough that we had some success against. I think the experience of playing against that so much this year — they faced so many guys for months there where we were very left-handed where in the fifth inning every day it was one lefty and then another one because that's how they attack us. So I'd like to think some of that familiarity and reps and all that prepared us well.”
Without a healthy Aaron Judge, or a fully ramped-up Giancarlo Stanton, many wondered if New York’s lineup was too one-dimensional. In theory, teams could do what the Red Sox attempted and challenge the Yankees with left-handed arms, but the wild card outcome suggested that such a strategy does not account for talent.
The Rays do not feature as many lefties as the Red Sox, and since the Pinstripes also produced when challenged, it may not make a difference who the AL East champs decide to put on the mound.
If the Yankees are truly clicking at the right time, they could be in for a long October run. New York and Tampa Bay will begin their best-of-five ALDS on Saturday night.