SU is excited about the Yankees returning to the World Series after a 15-year absence. As SU said at the start of the year, the goal for 2024 was getting there. If they win it all, it’s gravy on top but this was the year to play in late October. It was funny seeing Hal Steinbrenner in the celebration – hardly ever see him in person or hear from him. He did look a little pained talking about Juan Soto and his home run as that probably will cost him another $150 million on the contract. SU worries that if they win it all, Hal is satisfied and let’s Soto just walk.

It’s up to the Mets now to do their part to have a subway series. No doubt FOX is rooting for the Dodgers of course as that will generate more national interest in the World Series.

SU has to make this observation. I get the analytics and how you play the percentages. But in both the Royals’ and Guardians’ series, how do you pitch to Stanton or Soto in certain situations? Soto has been locked in for every game – even his outs are generally hard hit. He is focused and his level swing on balls even high in the zone are such an advantage. The same with Stanton – so many big home runs in the post-season. It’s funny as it feels like many of his home runs in the regular season are late in blowout win games. Not in the post-season: he is money.

Judge has been ice cold in both series. Doesn’t it make sense to pitch around Soto (read: WALK HIM) and take your chances with Judge with men on base? Last night in the 10th inning was typical. The Guardians screwed up a force at 2nd base which resulted in Soto coming up against a right handed reliever with runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs. SU says you walk him there to load the bases and pitch to Judge who is swinging at every low and outside pitch in the playoffs. Sure, you could walk him but Soto is too locked. The common thinking is that you only put a guy on if it’s 2nd and 3rd but what’s the difference?

Same with Stanton in the 6th inning. Two outs and a man on base. Jazz on deck who is hitting .121 in the post-season and is almost an automatic out. It is so obvious. And it wasn’t just Vogt on the Guardians. The Royals’ manager was doing the same thing. SU says you cannot expect the National League manager in the Series to do the same – or can you?

Props to Aaron Boone who made all the right moves in this series with his relievers. Now, he got a little lucky as no-one expected Mark Leiter Jr. to be so effective. He was huge in 2 of the wins. And let’s be real by the way: in the 10th inning, if the Yankees don’t score, it would have been Tim Mayza coming in to pitch the bottom of the 10th inning and we could all have gone to bed then. The guy with the 9.00 ERA released by Toronto – he is clearly who you want to pitch in the ALCS. Sigh.

Also have to acknowledge that Gleyber Torres has had some post-season. He finds a way to get on base in front of Soto and is even running the bases with purpose (btw, SU does note that Soto runs hard to 1st base on every routine ground ball – good for him). The Yankees win with production from the top of the order and then pray for anything from the bottom half. Volpe is locked in and is hitting to right field – huge for him.

Hard to say it but the Yankees have the better starters for the World Series over either the Mets or the Dodgers. Does not mean they will win but would never have thought that.

This was a great series and Cleveland played the Yankees tough. They put the ball in play and run the bases. And it shows that if you expose your relievers to the opponent in every game, it will catch up to you.