Luke Weaver stepped into the spotlight as an unlikely hero for the Yankees in their 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of the playoffs. Weaver’s rise to this critical role is particularly noteworthy, given that just a year ago, he struggled with a 6.87 ERA as a starter for the Cincinnati Reds.
In recent weeks, Weaver transitioned from a setup reliever to the team’s primary closer, solidifying his position during the final stretch of the regular season. His performance in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, which included securing a four-out save with three strikeouts—one against the talented Bobby Witt Jr.—validated the Yankees’ confidence in him.
With his trademark self-deprecating humor, Weaver joked that his wiry frame provided him with “internal strength.” His ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees, especially after his long journey through the major leagues.
“Well, it’s sure not my size,’’ the new Yankees closer said with a smile. “Even though I feel like being wiry is a very internally strong foundational attribute.’’
Weaver holds his nerve to cement the thrilling win
The game was a rollercoaster for the 48,790 fans at Yankee Stadium. Despite less-than-stellar performances from ace Gerrit Cole and star player Aaron Judge, the Yankees managed to clinch the win. Manager Aaron Boone’s strategic moves, such as starting Oswaldo Cabrera at first base and Alex Verdugo in left field, played a crucial role in the outcome.
Verdugo, who faced significant criticism throughout the season due to his offensive struggles, delivered the game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning.
This matchup underscored the unpredictable nature of playoff baseball, where unexpected heroes can emerge and managerial choices can significantly sway results. It also highlighted the resilience of players like Verdugo and Weaver, who overcame previous challenges to contribute to a vital postseason victory.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., a close travel companion of Luke Weaver on team flights, deposited strong faith in Weaver’s ability to perform under pressure, “This is his time, this is what he’s made for.” That confidence was tested when Weaver took the mound in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game with a runner on first base.
Weaver, who had recently celebrated his first major league save—an experience he described as surreal—demonstrated his emerging skills as a closer. The 31-year-old right-hander retired the top of the Royals’ order in the ninth, striking out Michael Massey with a changeup, catching Bobby Witt Jr. looking at a borderline 96-mph fastball on a full count, and inducing a groundout from Vinnie Pasquantino on another changeup.
Chisholm reiterated his belief in Weaver’s capability to excel in crucial moments, citing his poise both on the field and during intense card games on flights. Weaver, known for his self-deprecating humor, acknowledged that he visibly struggled with losses in these games but appreciated Chisholm’s supportive remarks. He jokingly added that their friendship would improve if Chisholm offered him more compliments.
“Jazz had a lot of really nice things to say,’’ he joked. “I wish he would say that to my face, our friendship would really take a leap.’’
Luke Weaver, who secured his first career postseason save, expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity. He described the experience as the realization of a dream, complete with all the clichés that accompany such milestones. The baseball from this significant save has been preserved, bearing the date and score as a memento of Weaver’s achievement.
“It means a lot to me,’’ the closer said. “It’s everything you dream of, it’s definitely all the cliches rolled into one.’’
Bad luck for Gerrit Cole
On the other side, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole reflected on his difficult outing against the Royals. He admitted to making several mistakes and recognized the need for improvement. Still, Cole credited the Royals’ hitters for their effective approach, noting that they capitalized on some well-executed pitches, including MJ Melendez’s two-run homer in the fourth inning.
The Kansas City Royals have a chance to even the series in New York, with Cole Ragans slated to pitch against Carlos Rodon in Monday night’s game following an unanticipated day off in the AL playoff schedule.
However, the Royals may rue their missed opportunity against Cole, whose performance was below par. They could also second-guess the decision by third base coach Vance Wilson to send Salvador Perez home in the second inning, resulting in the first out at the plate.
For the Yankees, several players rose to the occasion in response to Cole’s struggles. Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer and drew two walks, while Juan Soto went 3-for-5 and made a key defensive play, throwing out Perez from right field. Austin Wells, despite a dismal .111 batting average in September, delivered a game-tying RBI single in the sixth inning after Aaron Judge could not come through.
A pivotal moment unfolded in the seventh inning when Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s stolen base attempt at second base survived a replay challenge, paving the way for Alex Verdugo’s game-winning hit.
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