LeMahieu a 'driving force' in Yanks' playoff run
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HOUSTON -- The Yankees played four games at Minute Maid Park in the 2017 American League Championship Series, and their inability to post a victory along Crawford Street resulted in an unhappy flight back to New York. DJ LeMahieu witnessed those contests from his couch, and his presence could help produce a very different outcome this year.
“I know I watched it,” LeMahieu said. “I just don't remember too much of it. I just know it went back and forth at that time.”
LeMahieu continued to swing a hot bat in Saturday’s ALCS opener, stroking two singles and scoring three runs in New York’s 7-0 victory over Houston. LeMahieu was the first Yanks player to score three runs in an ALCS game without the benefit of an extra-base hit.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 12 | NYY 7, HOU 0 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 13 | HOU 3, NYY 2 (11) | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 15 | HOU 4, NYY 1 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 17 | HOU 8, NYY 3 | Watch |
| Gm 5 | Oct. 18 | NYY 4, HOU 1 | Watch |
| Gm 6 | Oct. 19 | HOU 6, NYY 4 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: “LeMahieu has just been incredible for them,” the Astros’ Justin Verlander said. “He's somebody that gets on base at an incredible clip. He hit right around .330 this year (.327) and just does so many things so well. And when you can have a lineup behind him with a lot of guys that hit a lot of homers, if he's on base that much, it just creates that much more damage.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has pointed to LeMahieu and infielder Gleyber Torres as the two main reasons that his club was able to withstand a historic barrage of injuries, something that continued prior to ALCS Game 2 when outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was diagnosed with a right quadriceps strain.
“Between DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres, they've been the driving force amongst a lot of names here,” Cashman said. “They've been consistent and constant the entire time. We have amazing talents like [Aaron] Judge, amongst others, and Stanton. But they've been down with injuries, whereas we've been able to rely on Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu.”
Houston third baseman Alex Bregman marveled at LeMahieu’s opposite-field approach, calling him “one of the toughest outs in the game.”
“It’s a perfect ballpark for him in New York,” Bregman said. “His power is to right-center field. He drives the ball that way, which keeps him on every single pitch. You try and pound him in, but he inside-outs to right field, then you throw him something soft and he's on time for it because he's trying to hit it the other way and homers to left field.
“I think that's one of the reasons why he's so good with runners in scoring position, because he uses the whole field. He hits from line to line. He's an incredible, incredible player, and he's had an unbelievable year.”
A three-time Gold Glove second baseman (2014, ’17, ’18), LeMahieu has capably filled in at first and third base this season, including five starts at first base so far in the playoffs.
Despite his relative inexperience at the position (and one dropped popup during the AL Division Series), LeMahieu made a terrific scoop of a Judge throw to complete a double play in the fifth inning of ALCS Game 1.
“That’s one you don't practice, you just kind of react,” LeMahieu said. “With Judge's arm, once he caught the ball I didn't know if he could make the throw, but he turned his body real quick, and he's got a cannon for an arm. Just a good play at a good time there, for sure.”
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Staying ready
Luke Voit was “disappointed and frustrated,” in manager Aaron Boone’s words, when the Yankees informed the first baseman that he would not be on their roster for the ALCS. Yet Voit is aware that he could still see duty as an injury replacement this series or be restored to the active roster for a potential World Series.
“I want to be there, because I have been on the team all year, but I’m taking the mindset that I’m supporting my teammates, being positive about it,” Voit said. “I’ve got to keep a positive mindset, make sure I am getting my work in every day and be the biggest cheerleader on the bench.”
Voit hit .263/.378/.464 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs during the regular season, but he was slowed by a sports hernia and batted just .200/.319/.338 with two homers and eight RBIs after returning from the injured list on Aug. 30. He said that he will continue workouts, proceeding as though he is active.
“That’s where machines come in big for me,” Voit said. “I can always hit velo and offspeed pitches. I’ll make sure I am getting the ground balls in and staying active at first base. I love these guys, and I am going to do everything possible to be there whenever I can.”
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Family ties
Bob Boone attended Game 1 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park, not as the father of the Yankees’ manager, but in his role as a senior advisor to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo.
“I talked to him last night on the ride home from the bus,” said the Yanks’ Boone. “I was careful with what I said. I don't want him Jedi-mind-tricking me and sneaking information out of me.”
Should the Yankees and Nationals meet in the World Series, the elder Boone has said that he would have to pull for Washington. However, Boone’s mother, Susan, would be rooting for New York.
“Long way to go,” said the Yanks' manager.
This date in Yankees history
Oct. 13, 2001: Derek Jeter completed one of the most iconic plays of his career, backing up an errant relay throw near the first-base line and flipping the ball to catcher Jorge Posada in time to nab the Athletics’ Jeremy Giambi. The Yankees held on to defeat Oakland, 1-0, in Game 3 of the ALDS and would later advance to the ALCS.