Powerful performances by pitchers Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes are the most obvious reason why the Yankees swept the Twins.
Finishing a close second, though, is a lineup that produced up and down through the order. The Bombers boasted a .314 batting average (33-for-105) to make quick work of Minnesota in the AL Division Series. It was the first time the Yankees hit better than .300 in a series since they raked .309 in the 1998 World Series over the Padres.
“We just got hot at the right time,” Derek Jeter said. “If you’re going to win, you’re going to need all 25 guys.”
Four starters hit better than .300 and Brett Gardner was the only starter to bat less than .250. The lefty-righty designated hitter platoon on Marcus Thames and Lance Berkman combined to go 4-for-11 with two home runs and four RBIs.
Curtis Granderson, who continued his surge by batting .455 (5-for-11), led the way for the AL wild card winners. The first-year Yankee might have been the ALDS MVP if such an award existed, as he matched Alex Rodriguez’s average from last year’s sweep over the Twins.
“One through nine, we can score with anybody,” said Mark Teixeira, who drove in three key runs last week.
