After a five-year absence, the Yankees are back in the Division Series following Tuesday’s thrilling come-from-behind 8-4 win over the Minnesota Twins.
These Baby Bombers, led by Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and Gary Sanchez, played like seasoned vets as they fought out from under a first-inning three-run deficit in the one-and-done wild-card playoff.
MVP candidate Judge contributed with a dinger — naturally enough, since he just set the MLB rookie home-run record with 52 homers for the season.
And the bullpen was golden, combining for 13 strikeouts in 8 ²/₃ innings — tying a major league record.
With vets Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia and David Robertson providing links to the 2009 World Series championship squad, the team still has solid October-baseball experience.
Could this well-balanced team of youth and veterans land a 41st American League pennant? Well, the road goes through the defending AL champs, the Indians — who racked up 102 victories and a record 22-win streak late in the season.
The series kicks off Thursday in Cleveland. As Sabathia says: “Bring it on.”
