After the Yankees’ 14-1 drubbing of the Twins on Monday, the Twins are once again getting put to the flame by New York media, specifically the relentless New York Post, which described the Twins-Yankees relationship in a number of creative ways.
“It helped, of course, that the opponent was the Minnesota Twins, a team that grows weak in the knee at the mere mention of the word “Yankees,” no matter the context. Pop in a DVR of “Damn Yankees” and 15 Twins will dive under a desk before the first verse of “Ya Gotta Have Heart” is over.”
Sadly, as insulting as it must be to the Twins, it’s hard to argue.
Since 2002, the Yankees have won 79 of 110 games against Minnesota, and 10 straight games in the playoffs.
As the Post says, “this is vintage hammer-and-nail stuff.”
The Yankees pounded Minnesota 8-4 in last year’s American League Wild Card Game, swept them in the divisional series in 2009 and ’10, and knocked them out of the playoffs 3 games to 1 in 2003 and ’04.
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Overall, Minnesota is just 2-13 against the Bronx Bombers in postseason play.
“The Yankees beating the Twins isn’t new,” a separate Post article says. “They are 15-4 in regular-season games against them since July 25, 2015, 51-21 since 2008 and have won six of the last seven series.
“That doesn’t include the Twins flushing a 3-0 first-inning lead on the way to losing last year’s AL wild-card game at Yankee Stadium.”
Another article (yes, they’re killing the Twins in their tabloid), says Minnesota is the “unquestioned all-time leaders as Yankees postseason punching bag.”
The Twins still have three games this series to show the Yankees they can hang with them, starting Tuesday when staff ace Jose Berrios takes the mound.
Berrios has pitched 7+ shutout innings in three of his four starts this season. He’ll be opposed by left-hander C.C. Sabathia.
First pitch at 5:35 p.m. Central Time.
