The Yankees 7-2 AL Wild Card game win over the Oakland As at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday is exactly what pinstripe fans envisioned when Giancarlo Stanton popped 59 homers in Miami, was traded to the Yankees and joined Aaron Judge in a Murderers Row lineup.
Judge hit a two-run shot to give the Yankees an early lead that theyd never relinquish.
Ryan Songalia on Twitter
All rise for Aaron Judge! Yankees lead 2-0 with a crushing first inning homer off Liam Hendriks https://t.co/En02zjMBHS
Giancarlo finished the scoring with a Stantonian blast. Finally, the Yankees have these two guys at their best, in the lineup at the same time.
SportsCenter on Twitter
Giancarlo Stanton hit this one very far https://t.co/Kcm4cukNiy
Its been way too long, but its actually right on time, because the Yankees are about to grapple with their arch-nemesis, the Red Sox, in the playoffs for the first time since Boston came back from a 3-0 deficit to become the first team to win four straight in a League Championship Series in 2004.
The ALCS beings on Friday night. It’s a true clash of the titans.
Jeff Passan on Twitter
For the first time since 2004, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will play in the postseason. Chris Sale will throw the first pitch of the ALDS Friday at Fenway Park, 7:32 p.m. Two 100-win teams. One great rivalry. Buckle up.
Falling Short of Expectations
The early word on the streets was that Judge and Stanton were going to break records this season as the heart of a Yankees lineup with two potential 50-homer Black Knights. A slow start by Stanton and a broken wrist for Judge that cost him nearly two months of the season put a damper on those Spring Training dreams.
Stanton still jacked 38 bombs with 100 RBI and Judge was able to bomb 27 in just 112 games, but it wasnt the consistent fury that Yankees fans envisioned when they found out these two juggernauts were hooking up.
Newsday on Twitter
On behalf of New York-area sports fans, our sports columnist has a message for Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and their pals: Win! https://t.co/7JzwwLuptz
Despite a year that fell short of offensive expectations for Stanton and Judge, the Yankees were still able to hit an MLB single-season record of 267 homers, breaking the previous record of 264 hit by the 1997 Seattle Mariners featuring young A-Rod and Ken Griffey Jr.
MJ on Twitter
How did the late 90s Seattle Mariners teams not get to or win a World Series?! They had an MVP Ken Griffey Jr., a young A-Rod, Randy Johnson’s ridiculous arm, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez.
Showtime, Go Time
Stanton didn’t just come to the Yankees to post huge numbers, he was seeking a shot at a World Series, which is something that he never even sniffed as perennial doormat with the Miami Marlins. The Yankees are deep with power and can compensate for extended periods without both of their supreme power guys, but the playoffs is when the money ballers bring the big bats out and electrify with game-changing contributions.
Ryan M. Spaeder on Twitter
No team had two home runs hit at least 115 mph in a single game during the regular season. #Yankees Aaron Judge hit one 116.1 mph and Giancarlo Stanton hit one 117.4 mph during the #ALWildCard Game.
The Yankees Dynamic Duo still has a chance to break records in these playoffs and immortalize themselves in Yankees championship lore. Beating Boston, who won a franchise record 108 games, is a formidable conquest.
They need all of the Black power that can be mustered. All of the typically magical moments that have defined Yankees playoff series during the Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter eras must hold true once again.
Manager Aaron Boone has players to motivate and game plans to implement. Team czar Brian Cashman has millions of numbers to crunch while they try to swing the pendulum in the Yankees favor throughout the course of the ALCS.
What they dont have to worry about is having two of the best home run hitters in MLB leading the way. Thats a luxury most teams dont have.
