The series opener included five lead changes — the most in postseason history — but the Yankees secured the final momentum swing from a surprising place.

And starting in leftfield . . . Alex Verdugo. The Yankees, several hours before Saturday’s Game 1 of the Division Series against the Royals, at last answered the most discussed question — inside and outside of the organization — when it came to their postseason plans.

The final three-plus months of Alex Verdugo's first regular season with the New York Yankees were so frustrating that there were some doubts if he would be in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.