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New York Yankees Editorial: Who Will the Yankees Face a Wild Card Game?

By Michael Cambria

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Though the Yankees managed to pull within 3.0 games of the Toronto Blue Jays with a big win over Chris Sale and the Chicago White Sox last night, it’s appearing more and more likely that the Yankees will be playing in the American League Wild Card Game to try and earn a potential playoff spot.

The Blue Jays have 10 games remaining this season, all against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles while the Yankees will have to play three more games against the White Sox and four more games against the Red Sox at home before finishing up their regular season on the road in Baltimore. Clearly the Blue Jays have an easier strength of schedule, but like the late Yogi Berra always said. “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

But should the Yankees fail to overtake Toronto and finish second in the American League East they’d likely host the American League Wild Card Game in Yankee Stadium on Tuesday October 6th.

So who might the Yankees face in this winner-take-all playoff game? Here’s a look at three potential wild card opponents;

1. Texas Rangers  

Behind the favorite to win American League Comeback Player of the Year Prince Fielder and their newly acquired ace Cole Hamels, the Rangers have one of the most well-balanced ball clubs in the entire league.

The Rangers seem poised to pull off the improbable comeback of winning the American League West after sitting 9.0 games out of first in mid-July, meaning they are more likely to face the Yankees in the AL Championship Series than a wild card game, but with the second place Astros hosting the Rangers this weekend in Minute Maid Park, that can all change in a heart beat.

Time will tell.

2. Houston Astros 

As aforementioned, the Houston Astros are knocking at the door to try and overcome Texas, but should they fail, it’s likely we’ll see them in Bronx in two weeks.

American League Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel is having a career year with an 18-8 record and a 2.51 ERA, and he’d likely take the ball for the Astros in any wild card matchup with the season on the line. The southpaw is 2-0 against the Yankees this year with a 0.00 ERA, including a complete game shutout in which he recorded 12 strikeouts. The Yankees have struggled against lefties all year, but can Keuchel win on the road? He’s 14-0 at home with a 1.47 ERA compared to a 4-8 record with a 3.82 ERA on the road. He did however pitch 7.0 scoreless innings in Yankee stadium back in August, but that wasn’t in front of a rumbling playoff crowd in the Bronx.

3. Minnesota Twins

The Twins are a very interesting team. Their rival Kansas City Royals punched their ticket to the postseason last night when they clinched the American League Central, but the Twins are currently tied with the Angels just 1.5 games out of the second American League Wild Car spot. They have some of the best young talent in the game with guys like Byron Buxton, Eduardo Escobar and Miguel Sano who absolutely crushed the Yankees pitching staff last time Minnesota came into town.

However, the Yankees have a good playoff track record against the twins, beating them in four American League divisional series’ (2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010) while posting a 12-2 record against them. The Yankees have won five out of the six games against the Twins this year, including a three-game sweep in the Bronx.

As we approach the final week of the regular season, one of these three teams are likely heading to the Bronx for a one-and-done wild card match-up with the Yankees. Who would you prefer to see if this was the case? I would pick the Twins. What about you Yankee fans? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

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