The Great Sanchino; Sanchez explodes in Game 2 victory

I wrote on Saturday morning that the first key to a Yankee’s victory was to get to the Boston bullpen early and often.  It didn’t take much to do that, as the Yankees jumped out to a three run lead early and Price was pulled after just 1 2/3 inning of work.

Aaron Judge started off the hit parade in the first with a monster 450 foot blast to the deepest part of the park, marking his third home run in this series already.  For those not paying attention, Judge has become a premier postseason player in just two years of experience.  He was the catalyst for the Bomber’s run to the ALCS last season and he’s become the main producer so far in these playoffs.

Price wouldn’t make it past the second as Gary Sanchez hit his first home run of the postseason and Andrew McCutchen singled in Gleyber Torres after Torres and Brett Gardner started a mini-rally.  It was another disappointing start for Price, who is an ace but has some serious Yankee-centric issues.  It’s almost astounding how one team has owned him his entire career.  The players may change, but those pinstripes give Price nightmares.

On the other side, Masahiro Tanaka was efficient in his five innings of work, surrendering only three hits and striking out four.  His only mistake was a hanging splitter that Xander Boegarts deposited into the Fenway seats, but he worked through it and made sure the Red Sox would not start a rally from it.

The game would stay at 3-1 until the seventh inning, where Aaron Judge walked and Giancarlo Stanton ripped a single into the outfield.  Up came Gary Sanchez, looking to deliver again and put this game out of reach.  Sanchez more than delivered, scorching a monster shot 479 feet, a home run so long it looked like it may have left Fenway Park.

The 6-1 lead proved to be insurmountable, even though Ian Kinsler was able to stroke a double off Dellin Betances to cut the lead to four.  Betances pitched two innings, and although he gave up the run was overall effective for the night.  Zach Britton pitched a scoreless eighth and Aroldis Chapman a scoreless ninth, including a game ending double play.

The Yankees head back to the Bronx refreshed and ready to play in front of their home crowd.  They’re 7-0 in their last seven home playoff games, and are looking to get ahead 2-1.  On the mound is the ace of the staff, Luis Severino.  Sevy was great in four innings against Oakland, and is looking to continue that success on Monday night.

He goes against Rick Porcello, the Sox starter who preserved a 5-3 lead in Game 1.  Porcello didn’t pitch much so he should be fresh, but there’s always a chance he gets pulled early due to a pitch limit.  Yankee Stadium should be a zoo on Monday, and the Yankees are looking to seal the series there.  Just ask Aaron Judge how he feels about coming back home, as he was heard blaring “New York, New York” through the hallways of Fenway.