New York Yankees ALDS Victory Powered By One Ridiculous Statistic

The New York Yankees are headed to the ALCS. Following a Game 4 series clinching victory over the Kansas City Royals Thursday night, the Yankees await the winner of the other ALDS featuring the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians. A winner-take-all Game 5 will be played on Saturday night.

Until then, the Yankees will celebrate.

While the entire Yankees roster may be 'throwing back' beers and 'popping' champagne Thursday night (into Friday morning), there's one part of the roster that deserves more praise than the rest, THE BULLPEN.

The Yankees bullpen did not allow a single earned run in the entire ALDS.

Let that sink in. The entire Yankees bullpen, that pitched 15 and 2/3 innings, did not allow a single earned run against a Royals offense that ranked in the top-10 of nearly every offensive statistical category in the regular season.

This is a bullpen that faced major adversity during the regular season, including the removal of Clay Holmes from the closer role in early Sept. Since then, Holmes has settled into a setup role, where he has thrived.

As for the closer role, Aaron Boone has put his trust in Luke Weaver, and this decision has paid off in a big way. Since assuming the closer role, Weaver hasn't allowed an earned run, collecting seven saves (3 in the ALDS), three wins, and one hold.

The dominance of the Yankees bullpen actually stretches back to the end of the regular season. The bullpen's consecutive scoreless innings streak currently sits at 20 and 1/3 innings.

And for those who are wondering, the MLB record for consecutive scoreless innings by a bullpen in the postseason is held by the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers, who went 28 and 1/3 innings without giving up an earned run.

While the 2024 Yankees bullpen has a ways to go before they break the Dodgers' record, at this pace they may find themselves pitching in the Yankees' 41st World Series appearance -- the most by any franchise.

Related: The New York Yankees Are Headed To The ALCS