This has been an unbelievable season for the greatest franchise in sports. From A-Rod’s home run in his first game back, to Teixeira’s first-year surge, to “comeback weekend” against the Twins, to Jeter breaking Gehrig’s hits record, to, most importantly, having an actual pitching rotation.
One game I forgot/neglected to blog about was the Yankees make up game against the Angels on 8/14 (box score here). I went to the game with Richardo (@sovereignking23), Ryan (@52records) and Jared (@itsjbl). This was the makeup game from an earlier rain out this season.
Despite all the wins, all the amazing moments, the question remained – was this Yankee team the gritty, never-say-die version from the 90’s dynasty – or just one that was very very good? This makeup game seemed to answer that question, and in a good way.
In an 8th inning double steal, Brett Gardner raced for third, caused Angels catcher Mike Napoli to rush the throw, and eventually scored. This small ball mentality would be big against any opponent, let alone the Angels, who seemed to employ it against the Yanks all the time. As Yankee beat writer Brian Hoch put it at the time:
All too often, the Yankees have seemed to be the ones standing still, watching the Angels run circles around them with their fast-paced brand of baseball. That favor was repaid on Monday, and it felt good.
This seemed to show that the Yankees were not a one-dimensional team and could be the real deal in the postseason.
In much more important franchise news, the one season, upper tier, four pack of tickets that Brett got me miraculously won the playoff lottery, further cementing this as the greatest gift I have ever received. We will be going to Game 1 together tonight to hopefully watch CC earn his stripes.
Thanks to a thrilling one game playoff last night, we will be facing the Twins (leaving plenty of offseason time for Miguel Cabrera to fight his wife and be a general lowlife). While the Yanks have owned the Twins this season (see above), and their rotation doesn’t necessarily scare anyone, they are a tough team that can’t be taken for granted. Plus, the Yanks occasionally don’t do well against untested pitchers.
Brian Duensing, who is starting for the Twins, gave up four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in his only career appearance against the Yanks (although that was in relief). A regular season appearance in relief in July doesn’t exactly pass the sample size smell test, but this still bodes well for NY.
Either way, I’m very excited for my first ever playoff game, and the first playoff game at the new stadium. Good luck to the Yanks.
