New York Yankees' ALDS sweep shows they don't have to bash to win
By eliminating the Minnesota Twins on Monday, the New York Yankees proved that they are ready to win every way there is during this postseason.
The Yankees beat the Twins 5-1 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series to complete a sweep. But before the offense tacked on some late insurance runs, this was a duel of pitching and defense in which the Yankees showed their ability to hang tough in a tight game in October.
Luis Severino's start was not as clean as his four scoreless innings would indicate, but he stepped up when it mattered, masterfully escaping a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the second inning by limiting slugger Miguel Sano to an infield popup and striking out Marwin Gonzalez and Jake Cave to end the threat.
"I think that situation right there set the tone for the rest of the game. I think that was the chance for the Twins to score," Severino said. "I'm happy that I could throw good pitches enough to get out of that inning."cheap nike nfl jerseys paypal
Chad Green, arguably New York's best pitcher in the second half of the season, entered in the fifth inning to protect a three-run lead with two men on and two outs and retired the dangerous Rosario. Green was awarded the win after pitching a tough 1⅓ innings supported by great defensive play by outfielder Aaron Judge.
"I really don't know if I'm overrated or underrated. It really doesn't matter to me if I make the play," Judge said. "A lot of people label us as just a home-run-hitting team, but we are not. We play great defense, and our pitching staff is exceptional -- goes out there and executes their pitches."
Gleyber Torres, who made a case for series MVP with a second-inning home run and two doubles backed up by big-game defense, credited the field work that the team has done this season.
"We know we can hit, but we also know that defense also wins games. We are a team that cares a lot about our defense. We worked hard on it all season," Torres said. "We certainly hit very well in this series, but I think that defensively we played incredible ball. Some of the plays that Didi [Gregorius] made, that Judge made, they were incredible. Makes us feel very proud because this is the time to raise our level of play."
Yankees utility man Tyler Wade agreed.nfl nike jerseys cheap china
"It's a cliché saying, but defense wins championships, and this game was a product of all the early work we put in the outfield and the infield, the attention to detail and the pride that we have," he said. "Those kinds of plays we made today get momentum going, and hats off to Judge, Didi, Gleyber, DJ. Their great performance on the field was contagious."
The Yankees outscored the Twins 23-7 in their ALDS sweep, but reliever Tommy Kahnle believes they should be recognized for what they have accomplished on both sides of the ball in their 103-win season that included their first AL East title since 2012.
"A lot of people, they look on the outside and look at us as a power staff with power hitting, but at times we have shown that we have one of the best defenses in the league. We have the players to do it," Kahnle said. "Tonight really showed that when the stage is set, our guys are going to shine.
"When you have plays like that behind you and those players behind you, it's almost like it's a treat. Just another perk that we get from being on this team."
