![Ervin Santana will start for the Twins in the American League Wild Card Game. [Image via Wikimedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/1/660x290/b_502x220x82/ervin-santana-will-start-for-the-twins-in-the-american-league-wild-card-game-image-source-wikimedia-commons_1604329.jpg "Ervin Santana will start for the Twins in the American League Wild Card Game. [Image via Wikimedia Commons]")
The Boston Red Sox beat the Houston Astros on Saturday to clinch the American League East. Their win also officially puts the New York Yankees (91-70) into the American League Wild Card Game as they will host the Minnesota Twins (84-77) on Tuesday Night.
It has been an incredible turnaround for Minnesota who went 59-103 last season. It is their first playoff appearance since 2010, while the Yankees last appeared in 2015.
How the Yankees got here
New York's 4.00 ERA from starters is fifth-best in the majors and nearly half a run better than the 4.44 they posted in 2016.
Luis Severino has a sub-three ERA, and CC Sabathia and Jordan Montgomery have sub-four ERAs. The addition of Sonny Gray at the trade deadline bolstered their rotation even more.
Despite some hiccups along the way this season from closer Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees bullpen has been amongst the best. Heading into Sunday, their relievers have the third-best ERA in the majors at 3.35 and the lowest batting average against at .205.
Of course, Aaron Judge must be mentioned. He wasn't even guaranteed a starting outfield position heading into spring training, and all he's done is bash 52 home runs heading into Sunday. He has a stellar .422 on-base percentage, 114 RBIs, and 128 runs.
How the Twins got here
The Twins are the most surprising American League playoff team after they lost 103 games last season. They weren't even sold they could make it after they traded their closer Brandon Kintzler at the trade deadline along with starter Jaime Garcia just six days after they acquired him.
Their offense has shown improvement from 2016.
With one game remaining, they have scored 810 runs (fourth in American League) and batted .260 (fifth in American League).
While still lacking pop, Joe Mauer is batting .305 after batting just .267 in his previous three seasons. The majority of their young players saw their OPS increase from last season including Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, and Eduardo Escobar.
After a rookie season in 2016 where in 14 starts he finished with an 8.02 ERA, Jose Berrios has become of the team's better starters this year. In 26 games (25 starts), he has a 14-8 record with a 3.89 ERA. His per nine inning totals have improved vastly from 2016 in hits allowed, home runs allowed, walks, and strikeouts.
Luis Severino
The Yankees will trot out Luis Severino to the mound in Tuesday's game. A disappointing 2016 was followed up by an All-Star year in 2017 for the 23-year-old.
In 31 starts this year, Severino is 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA. His ERA is third in the American League, while his 1.04 WHIP ranks third and his 230 strikeouts rank fourth.
Since a miserable outing on August 12 when he gave up 10 runs (eight earned), he has a 1.99 ERA in eight starts.
One small thing to worry about is how he has pitched better on the road than at home in 2017. His ERA is 3.71 at home compared to just 2.24 on the road, and 15 of the 21 home runs he has allowed have come at Yankees Stadium.
Ervin Santana
The 13-year veteran Santana had one of the best seasons of his lengthy career as he gets ready to take the mound Tuesday. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career.
In 33 starts, the 34-year-old went 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA. His ERA is fifth-best in the American League as is his 1.13 WHIP. He struck out 167 batters and walked 61 in 211.1 innings.
Santana has been a better pitcher on the road this season finishing with a 10-3 record and a 2.71 ERA in away games.
He has been prone to giving up the long ball with 31 allowed this season, 14 of which came on the road.
Season series
The Yankees and Twins did not meet in the regular season until July 17. New York went 4-2 in their six head-to-head meetings including a three-game sweep at Yankees Stadium from September 18-20 when they outscored Minnesota 18-6.
Severino was the starter in the Yankees 11-3 win on September 20, but he did not get the win as he went only three innings. He allowed five hits and a walk and labored in the third as he allowed five of the first six batters to get on base.
Santana started and received the loss on September 18 in a 2-1 Yankees victory. It wasn't a terrible start for him though as he gave up two runs in 5.2 innings. He gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out three.
