The New York Yankees started game one of the postseason against the Minnesota Twins with a bang. Tallying ten runs, the Bombers continued to show their run support and overall efficiency at the plate, but it was their formerly injured players that stepped up and produced.
Both Edwin Encarnacion and Giancarlo Stanton provided fantastic days to help give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the series. The first baseman went 2-for-5 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI, and the left fielder for the Yankees earned three walks on the day.
Efficiency can present itself in numerous different ways, but getting on base is the ultimate goal, and Stanton did his job amidst negative criticism for his lack of “clutchness.â€
Aside from the top portion of the order, the bottom three hitters all had porous days. Inconsistencies in the lineup are expected, but the bottom of the order, made up of Gio Urshela, Didi Gregorius, and Gary Sanchez, went 0-for-9 on Friday night. They must elevate their game and produce to gain positive momentum and help them succeed moving forward.
How did the New York Yankees pitching perform?
Starter James Paxton went 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. The bullpen was stellar after Paxton was relieved, giving up just two hits over the final 5.8 innings. Interestingly, manager Aaron Boone utilizes starter J.A. Happ as a relief option, which seemed to work considering his two strikeout inning to set up Aroldis Chapman for the save.
The Yankees face off against the Twins in game two of the series at 5 PM on Saturday. Starter Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound in an attempt to secure a confident league. This will be an essential game for the Bombers to solidify their advantage and give Luis Severino a comfortable lead heading into just his fourth start of the season.