MLB playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Yankees make it
The Bronx Bombers just keep hanging around. Even a four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox wasn’t enough to sink their ship.
Every time you think the New York Yankees have been eliminated from postseason contention, they find a way to put themselves back into the conversation. After being swept last week by the Boston Red Sox in a series that included a few gut-wrenching losses, the Yankees have gotten back on track with two straight wins over the Tampa Bay Rays.
With only 11 games left in the year, the Yankees are 2.5 games out of the second wild card spot. There are three teams ahead of them, but the Yankees can vault them with one strong push to the finish. Here are three reasons not to count out the Yankees in this year’s race for October.
Have you heard of Gary Sanchez?
The Yankees have this new rookie catcher named Gary Sanchez. Maybe you’ve heard of him? He’s kind of a big deal.
#Yankees Gary Sanchez is the first player in baseball history to hit 19 HR in his first 50 career games.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 22, 2016
He has done so in just 45 games.
There have been a lot of baseball players since the game started being played in the 1860s. Gary Sanchez is the quickest of all to 19 home runs. He has as many home runs as Brian McCann, the catcher who started the year for the Yankees. McCann has 465 plate appearances, while Sanchez has 188.
No one could have predicted that Sanchez would do what he’s done so far in 2016. Heck, it took him 498 trips to the plate to hit 25 last year in the minor leagues. There are some crazy numbers in Sanchez’s splits this year. For example, he is batting a ridiculous .636 when swinging at the first pitch with four home runs. When he is ahead in the count, Sanchez has a 1.604 OPS. Pitchers still haven’t fully figured out this powerful rookie, and that may have to wait until next year when more video of his at-bats can be digested.
It’s been a historic start for Gary Sanchez, and the Yankees finish their season with 10 games against the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles. Eight of the catchers home runs have come in 18 games against those teams.