This is the model—I guess

So:  a good (if only five-inning start), followed by everyone into the pool (7 relievers!).

4 solo homers, a great all-around game by Judge (he even had a base stolen, but Didi fouled off the pitch), some sparkling plays in the field (looking at you, Mr. Dutch Knight!), more heroics from The General, and an invaluable stint by Cory Gearrin, the very model of a modern journeyman.

This is likely how the Yanks will have to win in the postseason, and good on them.  I'm feeling so good I'm even willing to give props to Coops for his dumpster diving.  And to Ma Boone, putting Johnny Lasagna in at a key moment...well, as they always say, better to be lucky than good.

But let's keep in mind that your Oakland Athletics, feisty and opportunistic as they are, are likely to be the lowest level we'll have to get past.

A certain, gloomy dread was audible in the voices of Ma and Pa Yankee from the moment I turned on my Walkman today—so much so I figured the Yanks were down about 9-0 or so.  (It was actually 2-1, Oakland, bottom of the fourth.)

The Master did have an interesting point, though, which was this:  should the Yanks really be so interested in compiling the best record in the AL?

Right now, this would mean facing the winner of an A's-Lungers series, a proposition about as enticing as having to pull a wounded badger out of a drainage pipe.  Houston would get Minnesota.  Hmmm...