This Yankees series win means more than just the Division

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 03: Pitcher Luis Severino
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 03: Pitcher Luis Severino /
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The Yankees took three games from the archrival Red Sox, but they’re still 3.5 games back. The series, however means more than most fans realize.

The Yankees series win last night means so much more than just a chance at the AL East.

Last night’s victory allowed the Bronx Bombers to plan out their entire playoff plan.

Let’s be real, the AL East is Boston’s to lose. Regardless of last night, the Red Sox still have a stranglehold on the division, and it will take help from other teams to get the Yanks on top.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but as baseball fans know, you can’t leave your fate in the hands of another team. This series was the last time the Yankees will play the Sox in the regular season, so

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there’s not much hope at topping the East.

So let’s look towards the Wild Card.

The Yankees will most likely face the Minnesota Twins, the Baltimore Orioles, or the Los Angeles Angels at home in the Wild Card play-in game.

Right now the Twins hold the second Wild Card spot, but both the O’s and the Angels lurk just 1.5 games back. They all feasibly have a chance of taking over that spot come season’s end.

The biggest question mark heading into the Wild Card game was who would start for the Yankees. Would it be the newly acquired Sonny Gray? Could it be the wily veteran CC Sabathia? Could it even be the struggling former ace Masahiro Tanaka?

The answer, my friends, is none of the above.

The Yankees should start the young flame-thrower Luis Severino in the one-game play-in. He proved last night that regardless of the spotlight, he will show up to play in a bigtime situation. He has the stuff, and he finally has the confidence Yankees fans have been waiting for.

Severino is able to pitch against the league’s best hitters, and mow them down. He is going to be a major factor in the playoffs.

Next: Inconsistency Is the Story for Masahiro Tanaka in 2017

Last night answered that major question for the Bronx Bombers, and with the playoffs looming large, at least they know they can go to Severino in a bigtime spot.