Yankees player grades for ALDS sweep of Twins

The Yankees beat the Twins 5-1 on Monday night to complete the three-game sweep and march on to the ALCS. Let’s take a look back at the players responsible for beating Minnesota for the 13th straight time in the postseason.

No, the Yankees won’t have home-field advantage in the ALCS, should they play the Astros, but the Yanks swept the Twins and therefore, will have at least one extra day off before the next series begins on Saturday.

Should the Rays and Diego Castillo pull out Game 4 versus Justin Verlander, who is on short rest, and force a Game 5 back in Houston on Thursday with Gerrit Cole, likely getting the start, the Bombers would be sitting pretty.

However, let’s not put the cart before the horse. Instead, let’s talk about what we know, and that is just how good the majority of Yankee players performed against the Twins. After all, New York outscored Minnesota 23-7.

The Yankees lineup did precisely the opposite of what Rocco Baldelli’s Twins had game planned for — to stay away from swinging at the first pitch, work the count and wait for favorable situations that allowed for balls in the zone to drive.

Bottom of the batting order

It’s almost unfair to call the Yankees six through nine hitters the “bottom of the lineup,” when you consider who they are and what they’ve accomplished, but that’s how good the Bombers are up and down the lineup.

Gleyber Torres (A+) — If I were a teacher and could give the score of 100 plus another 20 points for extra credit, that’s what I would hand the 22-year-old. Torres became the youngest Yankees infielder since Derek Jeter (1996) to hit a postseason homer in Game 3. Perhaps the most integral part of the Yankee lineup, Torres finished the ALDS going 5-for-12 with five runs scored, three doubles, four RBIs and swiped four bases. His 1.378 OPS was astronomical, and his fantastic second base play proves he’s a star.

From his quickness of turning double plays to a sliding grab in short right field and the wherewithal to throw out Eddie Rosario at first base to help Chad Green escape a third inning Game 3 jam, Torres is my series MVP.

Gary Sanchez (C-) — In Sanchez’s eight official at-bats, only once did he look comfortable — and low and behold, he ripped a line drive past the shortstop. Otherwise, El Gary was contained, although he did manage to walk three times, score one run and sport a .417 OBP. Perhaps Sanchez’s strongest showing of the ALDS came behind the plate. Although he did allow one past ball, overall, he called three wonderful games, made some spectacular blocks and kept his pitchers focused for all 27 innings.

Didi Gregorius (B+) — Batting in an unfamiliar eighth spot, manager Aaron Boone was looking to take as much pressure off Gregorius as possible. And it worked, especially in Game 2 when Sir Didi hit a mammoth upper deck grand slam to put the contest out of reach. Gregorius would finish 4-for-10 with two runs scored, six RBIs and a 1.200 OPS. Hopefully, this is just the start of Didi’s breakout postseason performance. He also excelled with the glove, making several athletic plays at shortstop.

Gio Urshela (C-) — While there is never any doubt about Ursehla’s glove, coming off a groin strain, his bat during September never got going. However, with a glut of other offensive producers, the Yanks can manage to start the surehanded Ursehla and wait for his stick to come around. During the three games, Ursehla went 3-for-12 with a run scored, a double and two strikeouts.

Cameron Maybin (B) — The only position player used off the bench, Maybin slugged a late-inning home run in Game 3. Other than that, he got up three times, scored two times, struck out twice and stole two bases. While the stolen bases are a plus, Maybin’s primary use is as a defensive replacement for Stanton. So as long as Maybin plays a solid left field, there’s nothing more to say.

Starting pitchers

James Paxton (B) — In his first start since being pulled due to a tight left glute muscle, Paxton was good — not great — but he got the job done in Game 1. While he wasn’t able to display the kind of stuff that won him 10 consecutive starts, The Big Maple overcame two early home runs to toss 4.2 innings of five-hit ball, allowing three runs, walking one and striking out eight. Naturally, the Yanks would like Paxton to last a bit longer, to take some of the stress off of the bullpen, but it was the first game of the series, and Paxton battled as long as he could.

Masahiro Tanaka (A+) — Game 2 was won by the end of the third inning, hence the reason why Boone only let Tanaka go a full five frames. However, Tanaka yet again showed he’s a big game shooter, allowing one run on one hit, with one walk and seven strikeouts. Holding the Twins to a .076 BAA, Tanaka’s splitter was on cruise control all night.

Luis Severino (B-) — In only his third big league start this season, Severino labored. Thanks to some stellar defense from his teammates, Severino was liable for four hits and two walks in four innings. Like usual, when he needed a big strikeout, the 25-year-old did just that, sitting down four Twins. Still rounding into shape, it wasn’t the prettiest start, but it leaves a lot of room for optimism headed into the ALCS.

Relief pitchers

The strength of the Yankee machine allowed 10 hits and three runs in 13.1 innings. Striking out 16 as opposed to seven walks is a solid ratio; however, I’d like to see Tommy Kahnle and Zack Britton avoid giving up any more long balls moving forward.

Aroldis Chapman was his typical indigestion inducing self. In 2.2 innings of work, he allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four. Chad Green was put into consistent high-leverage situations, especially in Game 3 and, despite allowing two hits, he struck out one in two innings and came out unscathed.

The other lefty’s, J.A. Happ and Tyler Lyons were effective, each tossing a scoreless inning — Happ walked one and struck out two while Lyons fanned two Twins.

Although Adam Ottavino pitched in all three games, he was used mainly for matchup purposes — only compiling one full inning of work. He allowed one hit, two walks and struck out one.

Kahnle and Britton each threw 2.1 innings. Kahnle struck out three men while allowing a walk, two hits and a run. Britton did similarly, striking out one and giving up a walk, a hit and a run.

Perhaps the one reliever that may not make the ALCS roster is Jonathan Loaisiga. Used instead of fellow righty, Luis Cessa, Loaisiga gave up one run on two hits and struck out two in just one frame. With spotty command, it’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees replace Loaisiga with the likes of C.C. Sabathia, who is recovering from a left shoulder impingement.

Overall, I’d grade the Yankee bullpen with a B+. Reliable as usual, but still with room for dominance — which will be needed moving forward.