Well, that was not expected.
The Yankees entered their Wild Card Series rematch with the Red Sox as the favorites, but not by much. Their offense without Aaron Judge was expected to struggle against Boston's tough lefties, potent bullpen, and American League wins leader in Sonny Gray.
Instead, the Bronx Bombers lived up to their nickname and punished their hated rivals for a second straight night, highlighted by batting around in a six-run sixth inning to roll to a 9-2 win and sweep the Sox in two games.
It is the second straight season that the Yankees have eliminated Boston in the Wild Card round.
Twenty four hours after Cam Schlittler obliterated the Red Sox lineup while Ben Rice teed off for two home runs and six RBI, the Yanks were at it again on Wednesday, getting six one-run innings from Max Fried while the Yankee bats did just enough to grind Sonny Gray into a high enough pitch count where Red Sox manager Chad Tracy went to his bullpen early, just like in game one. The Yankees responded by immediately pummeling the Red Sox bullpen, using an equal dose of small ball and home-run power.
The sixth inning rally started when Spencer Jones reached on a dropped third strike, and continued with a perfectly-placed bunt by Trent Grisham to load the bases with nobody out. Austin Wells picked up a sac fly and Ryan McMahon chipped in with an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 5-1 before Cody Bellinger delivered the game breaker, a three-run home run just hours after receiving the ceremonial first pitch from his father, Clay.
The Yankees advance to meet the division champion Rays in the ALDS, with game one set for Saturday night in Tampa.
New York made quick work of its hated rival, sending Boston packing for the winter once again.
New York made quick work of its hated rival, sending Boston packing for the winter once again.
