ARLINGTON, Texas — No one on the Yankees’ roster has been involved in more playoff series than Brett Gardner.
There was the ALDS victory in 2009 and another one in 2010 before the wild-card victory two years ago.
To Gardner, as well as manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman, you can throw that history away.
“I told all these guys the last few weeks, it doesn’t really matter who we play,’’ Gardner said Saturday before the Yankees lost 9-4 to the Rangers, a day after learning they would face Minnesota in the ALDS.
“Now that the picture is clearer, it’s the same: If we play our game, we’re gonna win, and if we don’t, we can lose,’’ Gardner said. “I think we’ve got the best team, so we expect to win and play well.”
The Yankees’ October dominance over the Twins extends even back to before Gardner arrived. They’ve ended Minnesota’s season five times since 2003.
It’s certainly resonated with the Twins. Even before the ALDS matchup was set, Twins’ team president David St. Peter told SKOR North radio earlier in the week his team was looking forward to facing the Yankees.
“Organizationally, I just say it’s time to slay the dragon, right?” St. Peter told the station, referring to the Yankees. “No time like the present to break that curse, so to speak.”
But he also added it’s a new Minnesota team.
“We understand the history,” St. Peter said. “That’s my history. It isn’t [manager] Rocco Baldelli’s history. It certainly isn’t Nelson Cruz’s history. So I think that’ll be overblown.”
Perhaps, but it figures to be a popular narrative.
“Every year is different,’’ Cashman said. “Anytime we’ve played them [in the postseason], they’ve been formidable and worthy and we found a way to get by them. It doesn’t mean that’s always gonna be the case or will be the case in this instance. They’re very good, talented and deep. They’re here for a reason: They won their division. We have to play our best baseball to advance. If not, we’ll go home.”
Boone, if anything, placed even less importance at what’s happened between the two organizations.
“I think that’s silly,’’ Boone said of past outcomes impacting this series. “I certainly dismiss that. We know what they’re capable of. We know we have to execute. If you don’t execute, you’re in trouble against that team.”
Gardner agreed.
“I’m aware of what’s gone on before, but for the most, it’s pretty much two completely different teams,’’ Gardner said. “They can really hit and we’ve hit well against them, but I don’t expect a ton of runs this time around, since the playoffs are a different animal.’’
Asked whether St. Peter’s comment about “slaying the dragon” could have an impact, Gardner said: “I feel like any team that plays us this time of year feels that way. I guess we’ll see how the series goes.”
The two teams will top the majors in homers, both shattering the record the Yankees set a year ago of 267.
Cashman said he likes where his team is — and like Gardner, will see where October takes them.
“We put ourselves in position to win a World Series title, so we’re gonna take our shot,’’ Cashman said. “It’s as simple as that. Phase 1 was winning the division and Phase 2 will be to win this series.”