The New York Yankees took Game 1 of their ALDS series against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night with a 6-5 win that was highlighted by a controversial call in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Here are four takeaways from the Yankees win.
The big turning point in Game 1 came in the bottom of the seventh inning when the score was still tied, 5-5.
Yankees first baseman Oswaldo Cabrera struck out on a 3-2 pitch with third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the move attempting to steal second. Royals catcher Salvador Perez attempted to throw out Chisholm, but he was ruled safe on an incredibly close play at second base.
The Royals challenged, hoping the call would be overturned to end the inning.
It was not overturned, though. As you can see on the replay below, it was the type of call that could have very easily gone either way. It was also one of those replays that was going to stay with the call on the field.
Judge for yourself.
Umpires ruled Jazz Chisholm Jr. safe here pic.twitter.com/29OveSMIZ7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 6, 2024
Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo followed that review with an RBI single to give the Yankees the lead and what would go on to be the game-winning run.
The Royals paid Wacha a lot of money this offseason to help solidify their starting rotation and give them a chance to compete. He did exactly that all summer and helped them reach the playoffs. And then they pulled him in the fifth inning, with the Royals leading 3-2 — and after only 70 pitches just because he walked the leadoff batter of the frame.
It proved to be a disastrous decision as Angel Zerpa came in and proceeded to give up a hit while walking two batters, including one with the bases loaded to tie the game.
The Royals bullpen ended up walking five batters in five innings, allowing four runs in the process.
Maybe Kansas City still loses if it lets Wacha pitch longer. But it was a quick hook for a pitcher who they brought in exactly for these moments.
Cole ended up going five innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, but never really seemed to be at his best. Even the outs he recorded were of the "loud" variety. The Royals hit several balls incredibly hard, only to have them turn into outs because they were hit right at somebody or because a great play was made in the field.
Juan Soto made a stellar throw to cut down Salvador Perez at home on one play, while Aaron Judge made a spectacular running catch into the gap in left-center field in the first inning.
The good news for the Yankees was that they got a so-so Cole start and were still able to get the win.
Along with a so-so Cole start, the Yankees also got through a really tough game from Judge at the plate.
While he made a great defensive play in the first inning, he had an incredibly difficult night at the play by going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He did draw a walk and score a run, but the Yankees will still need more from him if they are going to make a serious run at the World Series.
Judge has hit his share of postseason home runs in his career, but he his overall batting numbers have taken a big hit in the past when playoffs start. As great as Judge is, Yankees are measured by playoff success and World Series championships. Judge is still missing those elements from his otherwise spectacular career.
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Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz already had an impressive start to his career. Kurtz entered Friday having posted a .288/.360/.622 batting line in 265 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 17 doubles. Despite making his major league debut on April 23, Kurtz has been the A's most valuable player, leading the team with 2.6 bWAR. He appeared to be on the cusp of becoming the superstar the A's needed to sell the team to the residents of Las Vegas. That performance set the stage for what may have been the most impressive game for any rookie in major league history. Kurtz became the 20th player in MLB history to have a four-home run game and the first rookie to achieve that feat. Kurtz's performance also put the 2025 season into baseball history. Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez had a four-home run game on April 26, making this the third time that there have been two four-homer games in a season. That had happened in 2002 (outfielders Mike Cameron and Shawn Green) and 2017 (utility man Scooter Gennett and left fielder J.D. Martinez). Kurtz did not stop with those four homers. He was 6-6 in the A's 15-3 victory over the Astros, with a double and eight runs batted in. The favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, Kurtz put an emphatic stamp on an already impressive season with his barrage on Friday.
Shortly after former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy shared that someone "in the know" believes there's a possibility Nick Saban — who retired in January 2024 — might return to coaching, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the Dallas Cowboys could be a potential destination for the seven-time national champion. According to Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Saban was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he intends to come out of retirement. "No, I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now," Saban responded. "It's exciting to still be involved in the game. It's exciting for me to work with athletic directors, conference commissioners, people in Congress to preserve the integrity of our game and continue to be able to create opportunities to help young people create value for their future that will help them be successful in their life, which is what we always try to do as a coach." Saban, now working as an ESPN analyst, will be 74 in October. Per Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner, President Donald Trump could consider having Saban "lead a new commission examining problems arising with the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and coinciding changes to the NCAA transfer process." Meanwhile, it's thought that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could look to hire a big-name candidate if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer fails to impress during the 2025 campaign. Additionally, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently hinted that Saban could be interested in becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Browns if the team selects Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the first pick in the 2026 draft. "There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enhance me to go back to coaching," Saban added during Friday's segment. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationships with the players. I loved the competition. But it's another station of life now. I enjoy what I'm doing right now and want to continue to do it — spend more time with my family, my grandchildren, my children. It's been really, really good." The "right now" portion of Saban's comments attracted the attention of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who was quick to point out he did not say "no for good" regarding a return to coaching. In short, it seems that rumors about Saban's future could hover over the college and pro football communities through at least the rest of the year.
The Michigan football QB room will look a whole lot different in 2025 than it did in 2024. Out of the five QBs the Wolverines had in 2024, only two return this upcoming season. With both Davis Warren and Jadyn Davis back in Ann Arbor, Michigan lost the trio of Jack Tuttle, Jayden Denegal, and Alex Orji. Both Denegal and Orji left for a chance to start, and according to On3's Pete Nakos, it sounds like at least one of the two is about guaranteed that chance in 2025. Denegal, the 6-foot-5 signal caller, transferred to San Diego State, where he is expected to start in Year 1 with the program. Denegal never had much of a chance in Ann Arbor, but for most of his career, he was behind J.J. McCarthy. It was telling, however, in 2024, Denegal was the only Michigan QB to not get any snaps. In his Wolverines career, Denegal went 4-for-5 for 50 yards and a touchdown -- all coming in 2023 in mop-up duty. As for Orji, he's in a battle -- like he was in 2024. The dual-threat signal caller opted to transfer to UNLV to play under offensive guru Dan Mullen. But according to Nakos, he will have to battle former Virginia QB Anthony Colandrea for the starting gig. Colandrea has the most experience and impressed during his time at UVA, throwing for 4,083 yards and 26 touchdowns. Orji began the 2024 season battling for the job, and most thought he would win it, but it was Warren who got the start. After struggling to start the year, Sherrone Moore inserted Orji into the starting lineup. But Michigan used Orji as a one-trick pony. The Wolverines showed their hands by consistently running the football and not giving Orji much time to gain any sort of consistency throwing the football. After Orji's trial as a starter ended, it was Tuttle and then Warren who started the rest of the season. In 2024, Orji threw for 150 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 269 yards and a score. It will be interesting to see how Mullen utilizes the 235-pound quarterback.
The Miami Dolphins lost another cornerback when Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL on the first day of training camp, and they may have found a potential replacement. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Dolphins have agreed to a deal with former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. The Dolphins were already thin at the cornerback position before Burns was lost for the year. They released Kendall Fuller after the 2024 season and traded former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. Jones is a talented player, but character concerns have followed him throughout his career. He played in all 17 games for the Raiders last season, making 16 starts. Jones had 69 total tackles and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Despite his solid play, Jones was cut by Las Vegas in April. The Raiders had claimed Jones off waivers midway through the 2023 season after he was cut by the New England Patriots, likely because of his off-field issues. Then-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick suspended Jones at the end of the 2022 season for a violation of team rules. Several months later, Jones was arrested at Logan Airport in Boston on gun-related charges. Jones, 27, was also criticized over his perceived lack of effort during some games with Las Vegas. But the Dolphins are desperate, and Jones has plenty of upside. The former fourth-round pick out of Arizona State has shown he is worthy of being a starter when his focus is solely on football. Miami is hoping to get that version of Jones.