Yankees Bullpen Key In Defeating Twins in AL Wild Card Game

It was an inauspicious start for the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game against the Minnesota Twins, particularly for starting pitcher Luis Severino. He surrendered a lead off home run to Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. Minutes later he gave up a two run home run to Eddie Rosario. The Twins had a 3-0 lead. After surrendering a single to Eduardo Escobar and a double to Max Kepler, Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out with the hook. Severino threw 29 pitches and gave up three runs on four hits while retiring only one batter. Chad Green calmed things down by striking out Byron Buxton and Jason Castro.

With the Twins held to three runs, I told my Dad not to be surprised if Twins starter Ervin Santana gave up three runs in the bottom of the first. After all, Santana has never pitched well in Yankee Stadium with a lifetime ERA of 6.43 ERA. Ten minutes later, Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius would hit a three run home run to tie the game at 3-3. Somehow Twins manager Paul Molitor left Santana in after he threw 42 pitches in the first inning. He would surrender a solo HR to Brett Gardner in the second to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead.

The Twins would tie the game 4-4 in the third when Buxton reached on a fielder's choice scoring Jorge Polanco. Buxton also made a spectacular catch crashing into the wall to rob Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez of a double. But Buxton would later leave the game with back stiffness.

The Yankees regained the lead in the third on a Greg Bird single to make the game 5-4. Aaron Judge blasted a two run home run which just cleared the left field wall to give the Yankees a 7-4 lead. Former Twin Aaron Hicks drove in a run on a bases loaded walk in the seventh to double the lead 8-4.

But the stars of the game was the Yankees bullpen. Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman pitched 8 2/3 innings giving up only one run on five hits with 13 strikeouts and only 3 walks. Chapman closed out the ninth striking out the side save for a single by longtime Twin Joe Mauer.

Seeing Mauer was a reminder as to why I thought the Twins stood no chance. The Yankees own the Twins defeating them in the ALDS in 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010. As it turned out tonight was no different. But the Twins have nothing for which to be ashamed. They increased their win total by 26 games and went from a team that lost 103 games to earning a AL Wild Card berth. If it's any consolation Paul Molitor will very likely be named AL Manager of the Year. But the Twins would rather buy a ticket to Cleveland.

The Yankees will face the defending AL champions in the ALDS starting on Thursday night. The Indians are favored to win, but I think the Yankees will prevail in five games.

The NL Wild Card game takes place tomorrow night when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Colorado Rockies. The winner will travel to L.A. to face the Dodgers in the NLDS on Friday.