Crises averted. Seven games and two weeks until the next crossroads - and where was the Toronto crowd last night?

Relax. Exhale. Look out the window. See the leaves? They're turning red. The day after tomorrow is October. The pumpkins are in the fields. It's time to turn the page. 

After 155 games and a million crises, the 2022 Yankees are guaranteed to improve over last year, when they botched the wild card game in Boston  In case you've forgotten - or mercifully blocked it out - the Redsocks crushed us. Gerrit Cole left in the third, without recording an out, down by three . Our thin hopes died when Aaron Judge was thrown out at home. Giancarlo Stanton hit a meaningless HR in the ninth to make it 6-2. Whoopie. 

The past never goes away. But soon, maybe we can bury that foul memory beneath positive ones. 

Theoretically, we can't do worse. That said, we've seen enough to know what can happen. If this team goes out in the divisional series, it will be a walloping disappointment, a massive disheartening, that could lead into  nuclear winter The future of Aaron Judge will shake every corner of the Yankiverse. If Hal Steinbrenner asks him to accept less because - hey, it's the Yankees - it might be many years before we look back on 2022 without wincing.  

Meanwhile, this we know...

1. Watching Roger Maris Jr. hug Aaron Judge's mom after the historic blast - it was one of the most heartfelt moments in Yankee history. Two people - drawn from distant locations of the world - celebrating their families, their legacies, and the end of a grueling watch... it's a vision we mustn't forget. Also, remember this: The HR record is still owned by a Yankee. 

2.  Frankly, the Toronto crowd blew it. I was surprised - amazed - that Judge's HR came and went, without even a curtain call. This was baseball history, the culmination of an incredibly, stress-filled chase, and he had succeeded. I thought they'd stop the game and do something, or at least that the stadium would erupt into chants, or cheers, or fucking something. Remember how they stopped the game for Cal Ripken's longevity record? Did YES overlook the crowd reaction, with its determination to have each announcer make his own speech? Dunno. But even when Judge came up later, I was disappointed in the crowd's lack of craziness. They should have gone bonkers. Do they hate the Yankees that badly? 

3. Aroldis Chapman threw a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two. It was his first perfect outing since August 13, against Boston. For the record: I'm not falling for it. We all knew he'd look good for an inning or two. And I'm okay with Boone letting him pitch in these final games. But - seriously - can we ever have confidence in El Chapo again? I can't take another season ending in a walk-off HR and Chapman's signature grimace/smile. No thanks.

4. Again, Zack Britton couldn't get through an inning. Give the guy credit for trying, but - no. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. It doesn't matter how well he pitched in 2019. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. 

5. I'm amazed at how quickly Oswaldo Cabrera has become one of my favorite Yankees. Last night, hitting behind Judge, he went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. At 2B, he turned a nifty DP on a tough play. He never looks fazed. It will be madness if Boone disappears him because Aaron Hicks has a decent last week. Why am I worried? It can't happen, right? RIGHT? 

6. Last night, at Double A, The Martian had a big game, leading Somerset to the Eastern League championship. Jasson Dominguez homered twice, drove in six runs, with three hits and two walks - though keep in mind: It was a 15-0 laugher, one of those games where everybody hits. 

Until then, Dominguez hadn't exactly destroyed Double A - 2 for 19 with a HR. But what a jump start to his next challenge! Dominguez starts Oct. 3 in the Arizona Fall Instructional League. It will be fun to follow him. And he hits, good grief... dare we dream? 

7. I have great friends in Sarasota and Punta Gorda, Florida, two places in the news yesterday. Dear God, I hope they're okay - and that any of you in the storm's path can soon look back at it and smile, even if comes with tears in our eyes.