MLB playoffs: ALDS, October, and a Rematch 14 Years in the Making

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

After beating the A’s in the American League Wild Card game, the Yankees meet the Boston Red Sox in a MLB playoffs series, for the first time in 14 years

As the later innings approached at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, “WE WANT BOSTON!” chants erupted around the ballpark. The enthusiastic fans donned in Yankee blue shouted in reference to the ALDS, and the fact that whoever won this game, would fly directly to Boston to face the Sox in the MLB playoffs.

“WE WANT BOSTON!,” they proclaimed.

At the end of a 9-inning contest that, if we’re being honest, the Yankees had won from the second Aaron Judge deposited a home run into the left-field seats, fans got what they wanted.

They got Boston.

Boston, however, is a powerhouse that the Yankees may not be strong enough to beat. They won 108 games in the regular season and demolished virtually every baseball that ventured within the bounds of the strike zone.

This is the series that the American League has been building towards all season long. It’s a series that’s 14 years in the making.

Let’s take a look at how it could play out.

CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) delivers a pitch to the plate during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

GAME ONE STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP: J.A. HAPP VS. CHRIS SALE

When Aaron Boone tabbed Luis Severino as the starting pitcher for the AL Wild Card game, there was some skepticism as to why he didn’t go with J.A. Happ, but it’s because he was thinking ahead; he was thinking about Boston. J.A. Happ has pitched great against Boston in his career and looks to dominate at Fenway Park on Friday.

The Yankees have options when it comes to starting pitching but, for Boston, there was really only one.

Tonight, they hand the ball to Chris Sale, the undeniable ace of that squad. Sale, who boasts a 2.11 ERA at home and on the road, has been phenomenal against the Bronx Bombers this season. He went 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA over 13.0 innings pitched, allowing only 9 hits and 1 run.

That said, Sale did not pitch well in the postseason last year against Houston. He went 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA, giving up 9 runs in 9.2 innings to the eventual World Series champs.

He looks to bounce back this October, and lead the Red Sox to their second championship this decade.

Related Story. The Yankees received the most incorrect strike calls in the American League. light

It won’t be easy, though. The Yankees would have won their division by a mile if they played anywhere other than the AL East. Both of these teams are forces to be reckoned with.

That brings us to those aforementioned forces, known as the sluggers of the Yankees and the Red Sox.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 03: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Brett Gardner #11 and Aaron Hicks #31 after defeating the Oakland Athletics by a score of 7-2 to win the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 03, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The sluggers in the Bronx and Boston have been here before…

Going back to as recent as last year’s postseason, a lot of the sluggers on these squads have seen the bright lights of October before. Most notably, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge enters his second postseason in two years. J.D Martinez, who partook in last year’s playoffs as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, enters this year’s pennant chase as one of the strongest hitters in baseball.

Andrew Benintendi, who’s played in the postseason every year he’s been in the majors, looks to continue his success in the ALDS.