Could this be a possible playoff preview?
The Bronx Bombers finally had the look of a contender against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a foe that even the Joe Torre era Yankees never seemed to figure out. The key for New York Monday night was simple: Beat L.A. at its game – the speed game.
Brett Gardner slid into third base on the front end of a double steal, then popped up and came home with the go-ahead run as catcher Mike Napoli’s throw rolled into left field.
With the speedy play, the Yanks proved they, too, can play small ball – something the franchise has lacked for the better part of this decade since topping the Mets in the 2000 “Subway” World Series.
Aside from the added element of speed in the Yankees arsenal, the story is twofold. First, the Yankees took it to their west coast rivals and in doing so captured a win that keeps them in control of the race for home-field advantage throughout the postseason – for now.
The Yankees magic number is now at 12 for the American League East crown and 7 for the Wild Card.
While the Yankees march toward October, keep these factoids in mind, too. The Yanks have now won five of their last six home games versus the Angels. They can’t meet in the first round if everything stays the way it is right now, but those are the kind of numbers that make you feel a little more comfortable with the thought of the two squaring off in a seven-game series for the pennant.
Right now, New York can do no wrong. They are 42-15 since the All-Star break.
October looms. You can throw all the stats out the window then. But, for now, the Yankees have the AL on lockdown – and that includes even the nemesis of nemesis, the L.A. Angels.
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