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

Don’t Worry but Don’t Just Be Happy

The Baby Bombers are not just happy to be in these playoffs. They are the reason there will be a Game 5. Meanwhile, veterans such as Ellsbury, Headley and Holliday have contributed little to nothing.

But no look at these last two games could be complete without mentioning three of the older Yankees.

CC Sabathia was at least serviceable in Game 2 and gave the Yankees just enough. He will need to be better than that against Kluber, or give way early to a rested Yankees bullpen. I am not sure CC has a shutout in him, but if the Yankees bats come alive, serviceable will do just fine.

But Not Forgotten

Todd Frazier is already doing better than that. He is the only veteran who is having a great ALDS, slashing .286/.333/.357 with four hits, a double, an RBI and five total bases.

Todd’s not young and will not be on this team in 2018. But he is here now and playing a role coveted by most: Local boy makes good. Most of us cheer for someone like that.

Todd adds a lot of gritty attitude to the team, and hits his best when he has a reason to have a chip on his shoulder. That can be a valuable commodity late in a playoff game.

Now What?

Finally, though, if baseball is about the next game and the next chance at redemption and teams pulling together in their toughest times, then these last two days are as much about Joe Girardi as anyone.

Over the weekend, both he and John Farrell of the Red Sox looked likely to be fired for quick playoff exits featuring bad decisions. On Wednesday, Farrell has already been fired while Joe might have actually rallied his team to his defense.

His players responded to his blunder in Game 2 by playing their most focused game of the season. They followed that up by chasing the Indians out of town, threatening them with their bats. They have spoken up for him and seem to feel genuine affinity.

I think that only increased with Joe’s impassioned, tearful apology. It was late, but it was heartfelt. And it is that passion for his players that has in part redeemed his biggest blunder.

Making Advances

It takes passion and fire to win and now everyone knows Girardi has plenty. A veteran team might be non-plussed; a young team like the Yankees might embrace him for it.

And that is the biggest lesson of all for these Baby Yankees. Time slowdowns in a playoff series and things can change greatly one day to the next.

A manager who looked in danger of being fired now looks like he has cemented the bonds with his team. And a team that looked as fated to lose as the Red Sox suddenly seems like a serious threat to advance.

If they had lost any faith in themselves or their manager, they have shaken it off and are playing like a dangerous team. And they move into this final game with some lessons already learned.

They know they have to keep their intensity and play like they expect to win. And not worry if they struggle in one or more areas, focusing instead on finding even small ways to help the team. Small contributions add up quickly in the playoffs.

And above all else never, ever listen to my predictions.

Next: Here is how the Yankees Looked just Two Games Ago

Perhaps the Baby Bombers came in to this series knowing all of that. Either way, they definitely know it now. They have seen the intensity and bathed in it; they have learned to keep focusing on the positive; and, they have learned they have the talent to compete with the best team in the American League.

And now the Indians know it, too.