Boone Responds to Criticism: Yankees Ready for Series vs. Blue Jays

Yankees Arrive in Toronto with Pre-Series Statements

The New York Yankees arrived in Canada on Friday morning, with some pre-game statements before the American League Division Series matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.

“Contrary to some opinions here, we are a really good team,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone at a press conference.

Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

Boone responded to a criticism from Blue Jays television analyst and former Major League player Buck Martinez about the Yankees during a game against the Houston Astros on September 9th. The Yankees won two out of three games against the Blue Jays the previous weekend, but Martinez was not impressed.

“The Yankees are not a good team. I don’t care what their record is,” Martinez said.

Buck Martinez, Blue Jays Analyst

The Yankees had a 5-8 record against the Blue Jays in the regular season and only 1-6 in Toronto. The head-to-head series was significant, as both teams finished tied at the top of the American League East with 94 wins, and the Blue Jays won the division due to the season series tiebreaker. “I know Buck had some opinions,” Boone added. “I was just responding to that. He’s wrong. But it doesn’t matter. We have to play and we have to perform, like everyone at this time of year. We feel very good about our team. We’re playing well. All that is in the past now. We have to play well from now on.” The first decision for both teams was to choose their starting pitchers for Game 1 on Saturday. The Blue Jays chose veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman. The Yankees selected Luis Gil, the American League Rookie of the Year, over Will Warren, who will be available from the bullpen. Boone also indicated that Max Fried will be the Game 2 starter on Sunday. Gil and Gausman last started in their clubs’ regular season finales on September 28. Gausman, 34, recorded an ERA of 3.59 in 193 innings in 32 starts. He allowed 10 runs on 17 hits in 22⅔ innings in four starts against the Yankees.

“It’s the same guy every day,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “You don’t worry about him getting caught up in the noise and the things that come with a Game 1.”

John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager

Gil, 27 years old, missed the first four months of the season due to a back injury before posting a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts. He faced Toronto on September 9, holding the Blue Jays to one run on three hits in six innings. “I feel like he’s ready for this,” Boone said. “He’s in line for it. We decided we want to keep Warren as an option in the bullpen, and we feel like Luis is ready to play.”