Yankees win the Wild Card game and advance to ALDS to face Boston

After the Yankees hit the 100-win mark in a season for the first time since 2009, they began this postseason strong, beating the Athletics 7-2 in the AL Wild Card game.

Congratulations to the Yankees for winning the American League Wild Card game and advancing to the ALDS to face the Boston Red Sox. After beating the Twins 8-4 in last year’s Wild Card matchup the Yanks are now 2-1 in the one-game winner takes all contest.

This time around, star slugger Aaron Judge and first baseman Luke Voit did the damage, helping secure a win over the A’s and their bullpen by committee. Judge’s two-run blast in the first and Voit’s two-run triple in the sixth proved to be more than enough offense for the Bombers to roll past a 97-win Oakland team. Judge was equally impressive in the 2017 Wild Card, going 2-for-4 with two hits, a home run, and two RBIs.

Skipper Aaron Boone did a tremendous job managing his first playoff game Wednesday night especially when it came to using his bullpen. However, if starter Luis Severino didn’t shut the door over four outstanding innings, to allow Dellin Betances and company to do the rest than jumping out to an early lead may not have been enough to sustain the lead.

More from Yankees News

• Orioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agency
• Guy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction
• Did Yankees fans bully Hal Steinbrenner into signing Aaron Judge, Carlos Rodón?
• Andrew Benintendi-White Sox deal proves Yankees were right to prioritize Carlos Rodón
• Twins already bailing on Gary Sánchez emphasizes Yankees’ trade failure

We witnessed the true ace Sevy is when he’s on top of his game which is exactly what the Yanks needed. In those four innings, Severino allowed two hits and four walks, while striking out seven.

The front office wisely chose Voit over Greg Bird for the 2018 Postseason roster which comes as no surprise to us. Voit has been absolutely incredible for the Bombers since he was traded from the Cardinals for relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos.

With the Yankees, Voit posted a .333 batting average with 14 home runs and 33 RBIs, slashing .405/.689/1.094. He’s been vital to the Bombers’ success.

Zach Britton did give up a two-run home run to Khris Davis in the top of eighth-inning, cutting the lead to 6-2. Despite the too little too late long ball, Yankee Stadium was electric all night. This is why it was crucial the Yanks claimed the home-field advantage. That’s now their seventh straight home playoff win dating back to last October when they went 6-0 in the Bronx.

Giancarlo Stanton went deep in the bottom of the eighth inning on a blast that went an estimated 433 feet to put the game out of reach, 7-2. It was a huge moment for Stanton in his first postseason game in his eighth big league season.

Next up, the Yanks take on the Red Sox in Game 1 of the Division Series at Fenway Park on Friday, at 7:32 PM EST. It’s the first time the rivals have met in October since 2004 so it should be another great chapter in their storied history.