Yankees win, will host AL Wild Card Game
BOSTON -- The Yankees' predisposition for awe-inspiring power invited suggestions that this club would mash alongside the best ever. They have lived up to that potential, but more recently their energy has been focused upon securing home-field advantage for the American League Wild Card Game, an objective that they achieved
BOSTON -- The Yankees' predisposition for awe-inspiring power invited suggestions that this club would mash alongside the best ever. They have lived up to that potential, but more recently their energy has been focused upon securing home-field advantage for the American League Wild Card Game, an objective that they achieved on enemy turf on Friday evening.
"That's huge, getting home-field advantage," Judge said. "You guys saw what happened in the playoffs last year. The fans, there's nothing like it. They've got some kind of magic, man, coming to the jungle. It's a crazy atmosphere. It's what you play for."
• FAQs about A's-Yankees AL Wild Card Game
With the venue now secured, manager Aaron Boone said that the final two games of the regular season would be used to rest regulars, dole out at-bats and innings to players who need them, and hammer out the pitching plan for the Wild Card Game. J.A. Happ made his case to start that contest, tossing another solid effort.
The left-hander blanked the Red Sox over the first five innings before serving up a Steve Pearce grand slam in the sixth, finishing his night with four hits allowed, seven strikeouts and two walks. He would be available to face the Athletics on regular rest and said that he would prepare as though he is getting that assignment.
"I'd love to get the nod, I can say that, but I think we're going to feel good with whoever is out there," Happ said. "We'll see how it plays out."
Boone has indicated that
"In a lot of ways, we're built for our ballpark," Boone said. "Our power plays for a lot of our guys, especially our right-handed hitters. They use that right field to their advantage. I think it's played out that we've been a very good team at home. I love the fact that our fans will get to be making the right kind of noise for us."
Red Sox starter
"This team comes in day in, day out, ready to play games," Hicks said. "Obviously, we're hitting home runs. It feels awesome."
• Hicks flips bat in disgust after swing -- on a HR
Voit cracked his 13th homer in the seventh off
"The power and stuff like that will come once the wrist keeps getting stronger," Judge said. "I've just been worried about having quality at-bats. If I swing at the right pitches, usually I'll hit a couple out."
SOUND SMART
HE SAID IT
"He's a warrior. He competes. You can see it in his eyes from the minute he walks out on that mound. Any start, he wants to throw the first pitch and the last pitch of that game. That's the type of guy he is. He's got a lot of fire, and that's who I want on the mound. It's fun to play behind a guy like that." -- Judge, on Happ
MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Red Sox challenged a call in the top of the fourth, checking to see if Sanchez touched home plate on Torres' two-run double. The drive struck the Green Monster and ricocheted to center fielder
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Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and on Facebook.