NEW YORK — Gerrit Cole was shaky. Aaron Judge did nothing. The Yankees won anyway.
Under the gaze of a sold-out home crowd, beneath an avalanche of supersonic expectations, the Bronx Bombers opened their 2024 postseason journey with a sloppy, energizing, comeback win over the upstart Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the ALDS.
Much-maligned outfielder Alex Verdugo delivered the definitive blow in New York’s 6-5 victory on Saturday, slicing a two-out RBI knock in the seventh to give New York a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Upon reaching second base, a triumphant Verdugo threw his hands in the air and made a summoning motion toward his jubilant teammates.