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.

Top of the batting order

Aaron Boone’s offense was so productive that he didn’t alter the batting order in any of the three contests. Sure, some pinstripers did more than others, but that’s the beauty of the first-round sweep, just wait until some of the other big names get going.

D.J LeMahieu (A) — At this point in the season, expecting anything other than clutch performances out of the free-agent steal of the century is futile. LeMahieu went 4-for-14 with four runs scored, one home run, four RBIs and a .976 OPS. Although he made an uncharacteristic error on a popup in Game 1, he more than made up for it on a tough one-bouncer from Gleyber Torres in Game 3.

Aaron Judge (A+) — The face of the franchise can do little wrong, especially when he limits his strikeouts — which is exactly what he did in the ALDS. Judge went 3-for-9 with four walks, just one K, three singles and a .538 OBP. Even more impressive was his outfield play, snagging three potentially game-changing balls and showing off his cannon on more than one occasion to hold runners to a single. I guess that 6-foot-7 reach really does help.

Brett Gardner (B) — Raise your hand if you thought batting Gardy third in the lineup was a wise decision before Game 1? Now put your hand down, you’re lying. However, after setting career highs in home runs and RBIs this season, Gardner continued to flash his power, slugging a bomb in Game 1. Although he struck out five times in 12 at-bats, Gardner still had three hits, three runs, three RBIs, three walks and a .357 OBP.

Edwin Encarnacion (A) — The Parrot is healthy and thank goodness. Seen as a luxury when the Yankees acquired him in June, Encarnacion continues to hit with force, as his 4-for-13 showing with three doubles, two RBIs and .357 OBP attest. Right now, he’s the perfect right-handed DH.

Giancarlo Stanton (C-) — Still rounding into form after only suiting up in 21 games this season, Stanton was rusty, going 1-for-6 with an RBI. On the bright side, he did walk four times, so it’s only a matter of time before he starts turning on good pitches. Stanton’s left-field play was also a bit shaky at times, leading to Cameron Maybin’s entrance as a late-inning replacement.

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.