ARLINGTON, Texas — Throughout the Yankees’ dominance of the Twins in the postseason you never heard anything but respect out of Minneapolis regarding their big-market, deep-pocketed tormentors.
Now, with the clubs ready to open the ALDS with Game 1 Friday night at Yankee Stadium, Twins president and CEO Dave St. Peter flapped his gums recently and raised eyebrows throughout baseball.
“I just say it is time to slay the dragon, right,’’ St. Peter foolishly said.
Losing 13 straight in the postseason is annoying. When it’s to the same team — especially the Yankees — annoyance turns to frustration.
So what is it like being called a dragon?
“I consider ourselves the American League Eastern champions and that is all we are right now,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said before the Rangers beat the Yankees, 6-1, in the final game ever at Globe Life Park in front of 47,144. “We hope to be able to call ourselves more than that.’’
That goal may have become even more difficult Sunday when third baseman Gio Urshela left the game in the fourth inning after fielding a ground ball and making a jump throw to first to get an out. When Urshela limped back to his position trainer Steve Donohue visited Urshela and escorted him to the dugout. Tyler Wade, whose versatility and speed make him a strong ALDS roster candidate, replaced Urshela.
It was announced in the eighth inning that Urshela suffered a mild sprain of his left ankle and was removed for precautionary reasons. He was examined by doctors at the ballpark and no tests were scheduled.
From the opening of spring training in February, the loudest and most often asked question about the Yankees pertained to their starting pitching. The bullpen was expected to be strong and the lineup muscular. Those areas didn’t disappoint despite injuries. The rotation was filled with question marks and that remains true as the second season approaches.
James Paxton, the heavy favorite to start Game 1, left Friday night’s game after one inning with a tight left glute the club doesn’t believe is serious but still put the lefty in an MRI tube on Saturday.
Luis Severino made his third start Saturday night, battled control issues and was lifted after three innings in which he gave up two runs, a hit, walked four and fanned four.
Severino’s first two outings were much better (nine scoreless innings; five hits; 13 strikeouts) and that is what Cashman is banking on from his former ace, who didn’t make his season debut until Sept. 22 due to an inflamed right rotator cuff in spring training and a lat strain suffered while rehabbing the shoulder.
“The weapons are all there, healthy and he is excited,’’ Cashman said of Severino. “We are thankful he has returned to the fold. Looking forward to leaning on him in October.’’
Aaron Boone said using Masahiro Tanaka behind opener Chad Green on Sunday wasn’t a precursor to Tanaka’s role in the postseason. However, Boone and
Cashman said everything is in play regarding how the Yankees use their arms to try and stifle a powerful Twins lineup.
With the Yankees using Green 15 times as an opener, it would be foolish to believe they won’t do it in a playoff game.
In three innings Sunday, Tanaka gave up two runs (one earned thanks to his throwing error to first base), five hits and issued one walk.
Boone said before the game that he wanted to use all of his late-game relievers and the first two weren’t good.
Tommy Kahnle gave up two runs, two hits, walked one and hit a batter. Adam Ottavino gave up a run and a hit in an inning.