For the first time since 2004, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will be facing off in the playoffs, thanks to New York's 7-2 drubbing of Oakland Wednesday night.
After Luis Severino went 1-2-3 in the top of the 1st inning (including 2 strikeouts), in the bottom of the inning former Rochester Red Wing Liam Hendriks walked Andrew McCutchen and then gave up this bomb to Aaron Judge.
Luis Severino pitched out of trouble in the 4th inning, but gave up two singles in the 5th and needed Dellin Betances to bail him out. Severino finished with 4.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts but most importantly no runs. Betances ended up with the win going 2 innings with no runs, hits or walks and 3 strikeouts.
The final nail in the coffin came in the bottom of the 8th inning with A's closer Blake Treinen pitching. Treinen was phenomenal in the regular season getting 38 saves, with an ERA of 0.78 and had only given up two homers in 68 appearances.
Giancarlo Stanton though hit a moon shot down the left field line to make it 7-2.
Game 1 of the ALDS begins Friday with a 7:32 pm first pitch from Fenway Park. Game 2 is Saturday 8:15 pm in Boston. Games 3 (Mon 10/8) and 4 (Tue 10/9 if necessary) are in the Bronx with Game 5 (Thu 10/11 if necessary) returning to Boston.