The Yankees’ last 10 trips to the postseason did not end at the Canyon of Heroes.
So Brian Cashman knows all too well that no matter how good he feels about his club heading into October — or what their potential path to the World Series might look like — it only takes a few bad games for all of that to come crashing down.
But the Yankees will try again beginning Saturday against the Royals in the ALDS, attempting to capture the franchise’s elusive 28th championship.
Brian Cashman’s Yankees are attempting to win the franchise’s 28th World Series.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“I think we have a great shot, but we only have a great shot if we play our best baseball,” Cashman said Thursday on a Zoom call. “I know that we have the capabilities, but at the same time, I’d caution that we had the capabilities many times before. You have to match those capabilities with great defense, great baserunning, tremendous offensive at-bats against extremely tough pitching and obviously the most important aspect is pitching to the best of your abilities.
“I think we have the pieces that are here, we have the will to make it happen. Now we just gotta go up against an opponent that’s very worthy. They earned their right to be here and they’re a dangerous team as we just recently saw when we faced them not too long ago.”
Cashman was speaking a day after the Yankees’ annual playoff nemesis (Astros) and their recent division nemesis (Orioles) were both eliminated from the playoffs.
Suddenly, it is just the Yankees and three AL Central teams — a division the Yankees have made a habit of chewing up and spitting out in recent Octobers — left standing on the AL side of the bracket.
But the Royals possess the kind of starting pitching — led by Seth Lugo (the likely Game 3 starter) and lefty Cole Ragans (Game 2 starter), who will both receive AL Cy Young votes, with veteran Michael Wacha going in Game 1 — that can keep teams up at night.
And given that it has been mostly the offense going cold that has been their downfall in recent postseason runs, history threatens to repeat itself.
Then again, the Yankees have never had Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the same lineup for a playoff run, though they will likely need the supporting cast to step up around them too.
Aaron Judge will headline the Yankees’ lineup throughout their playoff run.Robert Sabo for the NY Post
“I think the boys are ready,” manager Aaron Boone said Thursday. “I think they’re really focused, I think they’re really hungry and we’re excited to take our shot.”
The Yankees, who held simulated games on Wednesday and Thursday at the Stadium, with Thursday’s followed by a team dinner, went 5-2 against the Royals during the regular season.
They took three of four at Kauffman Stadium in June before winning two of three in The Bronx in the second week of September.
The Royals’ strong three starters for the ALDS, and a bullpen that has pitched better down the stretch, threatens to play spoiler in a five-game series.
They got here by holding the Orioles to just one run and 11 hits in a two-game sweep in the wild-card series, with starts from Ragans and Lugo.
And their lineup got a boost earlier this week when slugger Vinnie Pasquantino returned from a broken thumb to give star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. better protection behind him.
“I think we match up well against anyone, but I also know every team scares me and is dangerous,” Boone said. “What we’ve seen from this Royals team all year is that they’re very well-rounded, excellent starting pitching. … I think they’re a formidable team, they’re a scary team. They’re coming off a big road series victory against a good opponent and will probably walk into here with a lot of confidence.
“That said, we’re excited for the challenge of it. Can’t wait to get going Saturday night.”
The Yankees spent part of the season playing like the best team in baseball, part of it playing like one of the worst teams in baseball, and part of it somewhere in between.
Seth Lugo will start a game against the Yankees for the Royals in the ALDS.Imagn Images
But they cannot afford those kinds of cold swings with so much on the line beginning Saturday.
“My biggest worry is it’s a sport that you have your highs, you have your lows, you have your great games, you have your bad games,” Cashman said. “In October, you have to make sure you eliminate your mistakes – or limit them to the best of your abilities. Those who play close to their capabilities while limiting mistakes in series have a chance to go forward. The ones who make too many get sent home.”
Source : nypost.com
