With the MLB Postseason officially underway, let’s take a look and preview the upcoming ALDS Match-up between the Twins and Yankees.
Postseason baseball has officially arrived, ladies and gentlemen!
With both Wildcard games squared away, it’s time for the division series to begin, and the New York Yankees will take on the Minnesota Twins in the Bronx tomorrow night.
The Yankees Will Win If…
The starting pitching produces. This Twins team can hit, and they can do it with the best of them. Minnesota hit a league-leading 307-homers in 2019, led by the likes of Nelson Cruz, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, and other sluggers.
The Yankees’ starting staff has been under criticism for a large part of the season. However, they do have some arms that can make an impact. James Paxton, who left Friday’s ballgame after a rocky first-inning with glute tightness, appears ready to go for the upcoming series. Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino will also get starts this series, as well. With Tanaka’s postseason resume, Paxton’s recent hot streak, and Severino’s electric stuff, the Yanks may just have enough starting pitching to limit the power-heavy Twins.
The Twins Will Win If…
The bullpen steps up. The Yankees have arguably the best bullpen in baseball, and while the Twins bullpen is solid, it’s nothing too great, either. Thus, the most-relied on arms for Minnesota will need to continue their strong seasons. Meanwhile, The arms that left things to be desired must do their part. Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Taylor Rogers, and Sergio Romo will likely be the big four in Minnesota’s ‘pen, and arms like Ryne Harper and Devin Smeltzer must contribute, whether that’s pitching when the team is down by a run late or up by a run early.
Much like the Twins, the Yankees have a very, very powerful offense. Assuming the Yanks do a solid job against the Twins’ starters, the bullpen will need to get some big outs to either keep Minnesota in the game or hold down a lead.
So… Who Wins?
Both teams in this series are expected to put up a fight. The Yankees shouldn’t expect Minnesota to be a cakewalk, as these Twin teams are far better than most Twin teams the Yankees have battled in previous postseasons. However, I do expect the Yankees to wind up with a series win, however, as the pitching and overall ability to score runs are slightly better than that of Minnesota.
Prediction: Yankees in Four