The Yankees (103-58) look to jump out to a commanding series lead when they host the Twins (101-61) in Game 2 of the ALDS Saturday at 5:07 p.m.
Yankees notes
With Friday's win, the Yankees are now 14-2 all-time in playoff games against the Twins, with wins in 11 straight contests. They've won all five of the series between the two teams, as well... DJ LeMahieu picked up right where he left off in the regular season in Friday's win, going 3-for-5 with four RBI... Game 1 was as advertised in the power department, as the two teams who both shattered the record for home runs in a season combined for five of them on Friday... In what turned into a battle of the bullpens, Yankee relievers allowed just one run on two hits in 4.1 innings while the Twins surrendered seven runs in the four innings after Jose Berrios left the game. Aaron Boone announced prior to the game that J.A. Happ would not be available out of the bullpen.
| Twins | Yankees |
|---|---|
| Max Kepler, CF | DJ LeMahieu, 1B |
| Jorge Polanco, SS | Aaron Judge, RF |
| Nelson Cruz, DH | Brett Gardner, CF |
| Eddie Rosario, RF | Edwin Encarnacion, DH |
| Mitch Garver, C | Giancarlo Stanton, LF |
| Luis Arraez, 2B | Gleyber Torres, 2B |
| Miguel Sano, 3B | Gary Sanchez, C |
| Marwin Gonzalez, 1B | Didi Gregorius, SS |
| Jake Cave, LF | Gio Urshela, 3B |
Who is starting for the Yankees?
RHP Masahiro Tanaka (11-9, 4.45 ERA), who will be making his sixth career playoff start in Game 2. He is is 3-2 in those games, but he's pitched much better than his record would indicate. In 30 career playoff innings, he has a 1.50 ERA and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 25 hitters. Tanaka's last playoff start was a win in Game 2 of the 2018 ALDS against the Red Sox, when he allowed one run on three hits over five innings. He did not face the Twins this season, nor has he seen them in any of his previous playoff appearances.
Who is starting for the Twins?
RHP Randy Dobnak (2-1, 1.59 ERA), whose journey to make the Twins' postseason roster is one that's almost too crazy to believe. The 24-year-old was undrafted and could hardly be considered a prospect, starting the season in High-A Fort Myers. Pitching in the big leagues was so far off the radar for Dobnak that he scheduled his wedding for late September, after the minor league season ended. But he skyrocketed through the Twins' farm system, going 12-4 with a 2.07 ERA in 135 innings across three levels before earning a call-up in August. He continued to impress in nine appearances with the Twins, earned a spot on the postseason roster and now gets a start in Game 2.
Upcoming schedule
The series will shift to Minnesota following Saturday's game, with Game 3 scheduled for Monday at 8:40 p.m. at Target Field. Luis Severino is scheduled to oppose Jake Odorizzi.
