NEW YORK – It’s time to start the drive on the road to the fall classic tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern time. It’s a matchup that most fans and reporters never saw coming. The Minnesota Twins take on the New York Yankees in the big apple. It’s time to root for the underdogs and feel the euphoria in the air. It’s time to see if Aaron Judge will make his mark in history by leading the Yankees to a win tonight. Judge hit 52 home runs and had 114 runs batted in. The winner of this game will take on the Central Division Champion Cleveland Indians on Thursday.
Who honestly thought the Twins would overcome all the odds to be the second wild card? Was this team not much better than the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox heading into the season? Regardless of what people thought of the Twins, they are here now and ready to make a stand. Minnesota won 85 games and earned their right to be here. Regardless of the final score, the Twins should be commended for making it to the Wild Card game.
The Yankees lineup includes an interesting mix of young players and veterans including Judge, Gary Sanchez (33 home runs, 90 runs batted in), Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Holiday, and Chase Headley.
The Twins lineup feature some home run threats with Brian Dozier (34 home runs, 93 runs batted in), Eduardo Escobar (21 home runs, 73 runs batted in), and Eddie Rosario (27 home runs, 78 runs batted in).
The pitching matchup is an interesting battle between Luis Severino and longtime ace Ervin Santana. Severino is 14-6 with a 2.98 earned run average. Santana is 16-8 with a 3.28 earned run average.
Prediction
This game will feature really good pitching with a few big hits to make the difference. We could see a matchup of the Central Division teams for the American League Division Series. However, the Twins will fall just short of making that happen.
In the end, the home crowd and Yankees lineup will prove to be too much for the Twins to handle. It should be a close game that will leave fans guessing and hearts racing until the end. Judge will hit a walk-off home run to send the crowd home with tears of joy.
Yankees 3, Twins 2.
noooooo!!!! Dozier hits a 2-run homer in the 8th, twins up 3-2, and Buxton robs Judge at the wall in 9th. Twins win!
A Central Division showdown in the ALDS? Why not? I just think the Yankees are better overall. That would be an exciting finish though @Ben.