The Yankees had a team loaded with speed last season. Even Sanchez could steal a base. And while Judge struck out a lot he also led the league in walks and despite hitting 60 pts below MVP Altuve he had a higher on-base average.
I agree that modern stats show that home runs win games but when it comes to beating the best pitchers, which are usually who you face in October, a team needs to manufacture runs some other way because ace pitchers just don't give up many hits, never mind homers.
Alydar- - -Yes!!!!! That is my whole point vs Joe Girardi as Manager, when you face the best pitchers in the playoffs a team needs a complete game to have a chance to pull a victory! The NYY had Gardner, Hicks, Ellsbury, Judge, Gregorious, Sanchez, + some of the young kids they brought up that could ignite a rally with the little ball!
You're not going to defeat the Astros, Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc. waiting for that 3 run HR! You'll need to manufacture runs on small ball and win a 1-0, 2-1, type of game!
Just because the Yankees are in the AL doesn't mean they can't play NL style baseball!