October baseball has finally arrived as the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics face-off in a win or go home matchup.
When Giancarlo Stanton approved the big blockbuster trade to come to the New York Yankees, this is what he had in mind. A team that would be a legitimate contender come October, and not on their couches watching October baseball. Well, Giancarlo, it is officially time for some October baseball.
For the Yankees and Athletics, it all begins Wednesday night as the two battle at Yankee Stadium to see who advances to Boston in the American League Division Series. This marks the third time in the last four seasons that the Yankees will be playing in the win or go home game, all three times the game was played in the Bronx.
Under new manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees saw their first 100 win season since 2009 where they won 103 games and the World Series. The Athletics, on the other hand, are making their first playoff appearance since 2014 when they lost in the Wild Card game to the Royals.
No Yankee fan can forget the emotional roller coaster of a game the Wild Card game can be. It is just like playing in a Game 7, where anything can happen. Last year the Bombers were down 3-0 after a half inning and ended up winning 8-4, and eventually, fell just one game short of the World Series.
This season the Yankees come into this game, not the overwhelming favorites as they were a year ago. Oakland took the league by storm, surprising everybody with a 97-win season. Led by Bob Melvin and his staff, this team is one that you cannot overlook.
The two teams split the season series at three games apiece, and most recently, Oakland taking two out of three games in early September. Oakland has outscored the Bombers 33-28 in the six games, making what should be a great winner take all game.
ESNY has everything you have to know, from potential lineups, pitching breakdowns, and predictions.
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Starting Pitchers
Liam Hendricks vs. Luis Severino
To the surprise of many, Aaron Boone named Luis Severino his starter for the winner takes all matchup. This season was a tale of two different seasons for the 24-year-old ace.
Severino’s first half was dominant. He posted CY Young type numbers going 14-2 with a 2.31 ERA. But, the second half was not as kind to Severino who had a 5.57 ERA in 12 starts after the all-star break.
Despite the struggles, there were some bright spots for him down the stretch. He gave the Yankees a seven inning, one run, and six strikeouts performance against the Boston Red Sox in a big September matchup. That start, he looked more and more like the pitcher the Yankees know he can be. He finished the month with just 19 earned runs, nine less than what he had in the month of August, and 10 less than what he allowed in July.
Severino is not a stranger to the Wild Card game. He got the ball in 2017 when the Yankees beat the Twins 8-4. It did not go very well for him only lasting one-third of an inning and allowing three runs early. Manager Aaron Boone feels that was just a one-game moment and feels he’ll be just fine this year.
This season against Oakland, Severino is 1-1 in two starts, allowing seven runs (six earned) in 8.2 innings.
For Oakland, they will be making history in this matchup. For the first time, the opener will make its way into a playoff game. Liam Hendriks will get the nod to start. This season he is 0-1 with a 4.13 ERA but, in his last seven appearances (four of them starts) he has not allowed a run in 7.1 innings.
Hendriks might be the perfect guy to get things started for the A’s considering that he has an average exit velocity of 88.3 and a hard hit percentage of 34.3 percent (according to MLB). With the Yankees power heavy lineup, he might be the one to keep them off balanced.
Once Hendriks’ night is over, the A’s have a bullpen that can get the job done, the only question becomes, can everyone be at their “A” game all at once in an elimination game?
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Predicting The Starting Lineups
New York Yankees
- Andrew McCutchen
- Aaron Judge
- Aaron Hicks
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Luke Voit
- Didi Gregorius
- Miguel Andujar
- Gary Sanchez
- Gleyber Torres
The Yankees had a historic season offensively that saw them hit a major league record 266 home runs. Giancarlo Stanton led the way with 38 home runs and 100 RBIs, the only Yankee to reach the 100 RBIs mark this season.
Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, and Luke Voit have all taken the Yankee world by storm. Andujar stole the starting third base job from Brandon Drury and ended up hitting .297 with 27 home runs and 97 RBIs. Torres came up in late April and made an immediate impact finishing the season 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. Both players are in the mix for rookie of the year.
Voit, on the other hand, was acquired in a trade deadline deal that saw the departure of Chasen Shreve. After struggling, he was sent down to Scranton only to be recalled in late August to become the everyday first baseman. Greg Bird’s ineffectiveness just became too much, and a hot Voit took advantage of an opportunity. Voit hit .333 with 14 home runs and 33 RBIs in 39 games with the Bombers.
The only weak spot in the Yankees’ lineup this season has been Gary Sanchez. The former all-star catcher struggled to a .186 batting average this season, but, still managed to hit 18 home runs and drive in 53 RBIs. Sanchez ended the season 2-8 with a home run and one RBI.
Oakland Athletics
- Nick Martini
- Matt Chapman
- Jed Lowrie
- Khris Davis
- Matt Olson
- Stephen Piscotty
- Ramon Laureano
- Marcus Semien
- Jonathan Lucroy
The Oakland Athletics have an offense that has the ability to do some big-time damage. They were fourth in all of baseball scoring 813 runs, behind the Boston Red Sox, Yankees, and Cleaveland Indians. This Oakland team can also hit the long ball, placing third in the majors with 227 home runs.
Chapman, Lowrie, Davis, and Olson are names that the casual fan might recognize with the naked eye. Chapman finished the year with 26 long balls driving in 68 RBIs, and that is considered subpar considering what the rest of his teammates did.
Jed Lowrie had arguably the best year of his career where he hit a career-high 23 home runs and also drove in a career-high 99 RBIs. Khris Davis had an absolute monster of a season quietly putting himself in the MVP race with a whopping 48 home runs and 123 RBIs. He’s hit 40 or more home runs in each of the last three seasons. Olson has emerged as one of the best young hitters in all of baseball hitting 29 home runs and driving in 84 RBIs.
The lineup is also rounded out by the presence of former Cardinal Stephen Piscotty. He also had a career year with a career-high 27 home runs and 88 RBIs.
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NEXT: Bullpen Magic
Battle Of Two Great Bullpens
Both the Yankees and A’s have two of the games best bullpens.
It’s not a secret, the A’s used their bullpen a lot this year. According to Fangraphs, they used the pen for 641.1 innings, second to the Tampa Bay Rays who have used their pen 824.1 innings. Despite the usage, they still rank 11th in baseball in earned runs with 240.
Led by closer Blake Treinen, you do not want to face the backend of this Athletic pen. Treinen finished the season with a 0.78 ERA, converting 38 of 43 save opportunities. He also threw a career-high 80.1 innings. Former Mets’ closer, Jeurys Familia, also made a huge impact for this A’s pen. In 31.1. innings since his acquisition, he posted a 3.45 ERA, striking out 40.
For the Yankees, the bullpen is essentially what saved them in the Wild Card game a season ago. This year, they had their hiccups, but still served as a major strength.
The pen was second in the majors in strikeouts with 753, 10th in innings with 594.2, and had the sixth-least amount of blown saves with 17. Their 3.38 ERA is fourth best, behind the A’s, Cubs, and Astros.
Aroldis Chapman made his way back from tendinitis in his left knee, an injury he pitched with throughout the year. Despite the injury, he was still able to put up lights out numbers. He finished the year with a 2.45 ERA after a couple of shaky outings and converted 32 of 34 save opportunities.
What makes the Yankees’ bullpen so dangerous is their strikeout ability. Dellin Betances has returned to form after a shaky start to 2018. He finished the year with a 2.70 ERA and 115 strikeouts giving him 100 or more strikeouts for five straight seasons. Chad Green and David Robertson continue to serve as arms to help get out of trouble. Oh, and if you get through them, you still have to face former all-star Zach Britton.
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NEXT: Who Moves On To Boston?
Predictions
Bold In Game Predictions
Zach Britton Will Pitch
Much was made about Zach Britton not making an appearance in the 2016 Wild Card game when the Orioles lost to the Blue Jays. This will not be an issue for Aaron Boone, Britton, and the Yankees who will use Britton at all costs in this one.
Starting Pitchers Will Not Last Long
The A’s are using an opener so, right off the bat their bullpen will be used to the max. For the Yankees, their plan will be to get their starter through at least five innings so they can get to the likes of Britton, Robertson, Green, Betances, and Chapman.
Power Will Determine The Final Score
Both teams are home run hitting machines, there is a chance that we could see a record of home runs hit in a one-game playoff. And truthfully speaking, how can you not expect there to be a lot of power with the likes of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Khris Davis, and Matt Olson?
Gary Sanchez Will Have A Perfect Night Behind Home Plate
Much has been said about the play of Gary Sanchez behind the plate this season. He allowed 18 passed balls this season but, shuts down the running game. With the stakes high, expect Sanchez to be perfect, or as close to perfect as possible behind the plate Wednesday night.
The Game Itself
If you thought the 2017 Wild Card game was an epic game full of different emotions, expect this one to be the same thing.
The Oakland lineup is just as dangerous as the Yankees’ and this has the potential to be a game where both teams trade punches. With this being the first playoff game that we will be seeing an opener, so there will not be a great amount of room for error by Oakland.
That reason alone is why the Yankees should come out on top of this game. Also take into consideration the inexperience of the young A’s team, compared to what the Yankees went through in 2017. Add in the crowd factor Yankee Stadium will play, and the Yankees should advance to their rivals in the ALDS.
Final Score: 7-5 Yankees
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