Yankees playoffs: The baby bombers are serving notice in the ALDS

The Yankees rose up in games three and four of the American League Division Series. And it’s the Baby Bombers who are learning, leading and finding redemption.

The Yankees front office has to be thrilled with their rebuilding timeline if a bit bewildered.

By early 2015, they must have looked at the organization and felt comfortable that by the following year, the Yankees would be a team in transition.

Highly valued prospects Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird were sure to be called up by the start of the season where they would begin to mix with veterans such as Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez.

That transition would move into high gear in 2017 as more young, talented farmhands filled out the roster. They hoped it would all result in at least an ALDS appearance.

But Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi were still just dreaming on players such as Aaron Judge and Luis Severino and worried that Didi Gregorius would never hit lefties. And so the veterans would surely be the key to 2017.

The Yankees brain trust knew CC Sabathia, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez would have to carry the baby bombers while they spent their first postseason learning tough lessons. After all, it is not unusual for players to struggle in their first playoffs.

That vision, of the 2017 New York Yankees in at least the ALDS, has been realized. But instead of needing veteran guidance, the baby bombers are providing all the poise. And the power.

They are learning lessons, and even teaching a few. Some have found redemption, while others have rediscovered their confidence. It has all added up to the Yankees fighting back to tie this series with a chance to become even more anachronistic.

A Bad Postseason Performance

However, before we look at what they have done so well, a quick word on my recent work, not done quite so well. Namely, my recent playoff predictions. I said the Red Sox would beat the Astros; they didn’t. Then I said the Nationals would advance to the World Series; they are currently down 2-1 to the Cubs.

And of course, I said the Yankees would lose in four to the Indians. No matter how happy I am to be wrong, nothing can change that I was indeed wrong. So, no more postseason predictions for 2017. I clearly suck at them real, real, bad.

The Baby Yankees, on the other hand, are growing into playoff contenders right before our eyes.