The Yankees' reward for putting an end to the Royals in the ALDS on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium is that they can go all out on Saturday to decide who they play in the ALCS.
Instead of playing Game 5 in the Bronx, the Yankees will have one more day off, their ninth day off in 13 days since the end of the regular season. That's because the Guardians and Tigers will battle it out in Cleveland to determine who will head to the Bronx. Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday is against the Bronx.
“I'm going to watch Game 5 and enjoy it,'' manager Aaron Boone said at the tail end of a Yankees party in the Kauffman Stadium clubhouse, as passing players poured champagne and beer over his head. ” he said. “Both teams are playing really well. Nothing comes easy this time of year. … We're excited and ready for whoever comes.”
Given recent history, the Yankees are probably glad they didn't have to face the Astros. The Astros are a nemesis that has kept them out of the World Series in each of their past three trips to the ALCS.
The Royals proved to be a tough test in the ALDS, with their pitching staff mostly able to keep Yankees hitters at bay, especially Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Guardians and Tigers both have potential challenges in that regard. The Guardians have a lockdown bullpen and the Tigers may have an American League Cy Young Award winner, but having to play Game 5 means Detroit ace Tarik -This means Skubal won't be able to start until Game 3. If they win the ALCS, it will be a victory for the Yankees.
During the regular season, the Yankees were 4-2 against both the Guardians and Tigers.
Immediately after winning the ALDS, Coach Boone wasn't ready to announce his starter for Game 1 of the ALCS, but Carlos Rodon will likely get the ball before Cole returns for Game 2. (Although Clark Schmidt will get regular rest).
But who will they face in the second leg of the AL Central Division postseason tour?
I mean, who else should I pull besides an extra marathon on Saturday?
Why they want Guardians
They don't have Tariq Skubal.
No Guardians starter threatens to dominate games like Skubal.
They used Tanner Bibby, Matthew Boyd, and Alex Cobb as starters in the ALDS, but Boyd was the only left-hander in that group.
The Guardians have a shutdown bullpen that could cause problems for the Yankees, but they need a starter to get the ball to the relievers.
AJ Hinch not in the dugout
The Astros are gone, but their former manager is not.
Hinch knows what it takes to beat the Yankees in the playoffs and will be able to mix and match pitchers to create the best possible matchup with the Yankees' batting lineup.
The Guardians' Stephen Vogt may be in line for the AL Manager of the Year award, but Hinch has a history with the Yankees.
Follow The Post's coverage of the Yankees in the postseason.
Why they want the Tigers
They don't have Jose Ramirez.
This year's Tigers have had some breakthrough seasons with hitters, but there is no one in the lineup who is as versatile a threat as Ramirez — a switch hitter (particularly good against left-handed pitchers) who hit 39 home runs, 39 doubles, and stole bases. . 41 bags.
Pitching staff other than Skubal could be more vulnerable.
While Skubal can take over games — he started two games against the Yankees this season, giving up three runs and striking out 17 in 12 innings — the rest of the Tigers' staff is something of a wild card. .
Hinch promised Skubal before the playoffs began that his “pitching would be a mess” and he would use most of his arm whenever and wherever he wanted.
However, if they arrive at the ALCS, they may be running a bit fuzzy.
lack of wheels
During the regular season, the Tigers stole 76 bases, the fifth-fewest in the majors, while the Guardians stole 148 bases, the fifth-most.
The Royals, who had 134 home runs during the regular season, attempted to steal bases only three times in the ALDS against the Yankees (one of which was a throwout by Austin Wells).
However, the Yankees' activity on the bases has been under fire at times this season, so it's not a bad thing to play against a team with less speed.
