Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in their AL Division Series opener.

The series opener included five lead changes — the most in postseason history — but the Yankees secured the final momentum swing from a surprising place.

The final New York Yankees player introduced during the pregame ceremonies of the club’s first postseason game was Alex Verdugo. Verdugo batted last and was manager Aaron Boone’s pick to start in left field for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

The New York Yankees open up the American League Division Series on Saturday night against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. And when the Yankees take t

The biggest surprise is that right-handed starter Marcus Stroman has been left off the Yankees' ALDS roster. Each ALDS has two off days built into the schedule, which allowed the Yankees to go with a small-by-current-standards 11-man pitching staff.

The New York Yankees announced their roster for the American League Division Series on Saturday, leaving off a pitcher who threw 154.2 innings in 2024.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) is relieved by Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York.

The Royals, having lost 106 games in 2023, are among the American League’s final four in 2024. The Royals look to defeat their second American League East team in the postseason. Coming off a 2-0 sweep of the Baltimore Orioles,

The New York Yankees will be facing the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. The Yanks got a bye because they finished with the best record in the junior circuit. The Royals, meanwhile,