Author: Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

A 19-game winner in 2018, the Yankees’ right-hander didn’t make his 2019 debut until September – and now he’s taking center stage in October.

The Yankees handed the Twins their 14th straight postseason loss, a major league record, to take a 1-0 lead in the ALDS.

The Twins are playing the Yankees for the sixth time in the postseason since 2003. In the previous five meetings, the Yankees eliminated the Twins.

CC Sabathia, for the first time since his arrival as a free agent in 2009, is not on the Yankees’ playoff roster because of a shoulder injury.

Losing is no longer accepted in Queens, so Mets manager Mickey Callaway had to be fired. Mets are taking Yankees’ mantra: World Series or bust.

St. Louis’ young right-hander put the team on his back in the second half, and will take center stage in his first postseason.

The Los Angeles Angels fired Brad Ausmus after one season, but Joe Maddon’s return to the franchise is not imminent with other jobs opening up.

The Cardinals had missed out on the postseason the past three years, but clinched the NL Central on the final day of the season.