The pressure to perform is palpable for the Big Apple’s beloved baseball team, as they gear up for the American League Division Series against Kansas City. It’s been 15 long years since the team last hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy, and General Manager Brian Cashman knows that anything less than a championship is unacceptable.
“We have the talent, but we need to execute,” Cashman emphasized. “We’ve had talented teams before, but it’s about putting it all together – defense, baserunning, offense, and pitching. We need to be at our best to make a deep run.”
After a disappointing postseason absence last year, the team rebounded strongly this season, leading the American League in runs scored and home runs. The acquisition of star player Juan Soto in December proved to be a turning point, and the team is now poised to make a serious championship push.
Cashman believes that any team still standing has a legitimate shot at the title, but he’s keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead. “We have the pieces in place, and we have the desire to win. Now it’s about going out and doing it.”
Reigning Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole will take the mound for the series opener, facing off against Kansas City’s Michael Wacha. The Royals’ starter has had success against the team’s star slugger, holding him to just one hit in 18 at-bats. However, Manager Aaron Boone is confident in his team’s ability to overcome any obstacle.
The two teams have a rich postseason history, with the Big Apple’s team emerging victorious in the 1977 and 1978 AL Championship Series. The Royals turned the tables in 1980, sweeping the series and ultimately winning their first World Series title in 1985.
In recent matchups, the teams have split their series, with the Big Apple’s team taking three of four in Kansas City in June and two of three in the Bronx last month. The Royals are led by a potent trio of Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and a deep rotation.
As the series approaches, the Big Apple’s team is still finalizing its roster, with right-hander Marcus Stroman’s status uncertain. Meanwhile, first baseman Anthony Rizzo remains doubtful due to a hand injury, leaving Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera as the primary alternatives. DJ LeMahieu, who has been sidelined with a hip impingement, is slowly working his way back into the mix.
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