As for the question from the head coach, Lin Guanglai just picked up his pitcher's glove from the side and rubbed his palm back and forth, "Don't worry, Coach, I'll take down those Red Sox hitters one by one."

Hearing the confident response, Don Mattingly nodded and then firmly patted Lin Guanglai's shoulder: At this moment, he, as the head coach, was probably the most nervous person in the entire team—

After all, before this, whether as a player or a coach, Mattingly had never touched the threshold of the World Series. Although part of the reason was the Yankees' darkest period in the 1980s during his tenure, the title of "King without a Crown" had lingered for years, gradually becoming a demon in Mattingly's mind.

This season, he returned to the Bronx under the eyes of the public. If last season's defending champions were eliminated by a mortal enemy in the first round of the playoffs, after the game, he would surely become the main target and be besieged by the media.

Whether out of love for the team or his own selfish motives, this game must be won for Mattingly!

As Lin Guanglai slowly walked out from the player area, the ceremonial trumpet rang above Yankee Stadium to accompany his exclusive entrance song this season—the melody was almost ingrained in the blood of every American, the classic piece "Gonna Fly Now" from Stallone's famed "Rocky".

Accompanied by the stirring trumpet, the entire audience rose from their seats in unison, showering applause and cheering upon their superstar, also expressing hopes that he could end the game's suspense.

From the VIP viewing box, Mariano Rivera also stood from his seat, lightly clapping his hands; his gaze fixed on the tall young figure in the center of the field, his lips curling into a slight smile.

Exchanging a glance with catcher Realmuto crouched in position, Lin Guanglai slightly nodded, promptly sending the ball toward home plate; to Red Sox left-hitter Andrew Benintendi's view, the ball's trajectory seemed so straight, making him instinctively swing his bat toward the ball.

"Pop," "Crack"—two sounds almost issued simultaneously, as the cutter that leapt from Lin Guanglai's fingertips resembled a sharp sword, forcing its way through the heart of the strike zone and cutting into Benintendi's inside corner, shattering his bat at the handle.

The baseball was turned into a powerless grounder, easily sent to first base for the out by the Yankees' infield; almost in the very next second following the out, the broadcast camera focused on the fractured bat remnants scattered across the field.

Yet, no matter the players or fans at the scene, or viewers before their televisions for various reasons attentive to this clash, none would foresee that this broken bat was merely the beginning:

Red Sox coach Dusty Baker, a famed powerful outfielder during his player era, now as coach, places utmost importance on the team's batting performance—for Lin Guanglai, Baker deployed several left-handed hitters for this half-inning, hoping their left hits against right throws would open opportunities.

However, what awaited him were three bats broken in two, along with the umpire's loud declaration that brought cheers from Yankees fans and heartbreak to Red Sox fans:

"Three outs, game over—New York Yankees, win!"

Throughout the top of the ninth inning against Boston Red Sox's three left-hitters, Lin Guanglai used just three pitches, snatching this game's victory, sending the Yankees into the AL Championship Series—in the VIP box, Rivera's smile grew even more radiant.

Yankee Stadium plunged into madness once more: fans in the stands were pours out their emotions uncontrollably, at this moment they had completely lost their ability to convey through words, resorting to pounding their chests and loudly roaring in primitive fashion to express their excitement.

Gazing at the Yankees players indulging in embraces in the field and the Red Sox players with lowered heads, the relatively neutral commentator sighed:

"Truthfully, the Boston Red Sox gave their all in this series—Dusty Baker nearly shed his label as a 'postseason softlin' and the Red Sox nearly eliminated the defending champs... but that short distance to them is like a chasm! 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Those three pitches at the top of the ninth, I reckon even a Yankees fan would have a momentary trance? If unaware, they'd think the mound was guarded by that guardian angel who made all Yankees fans feel immensely assured!

This series, the biggest gap between the Red Sox and Yankees might be having Lin on the Yankees—without Lin's stabilizing contributions in both pitching and hitting, the Yankees might not have decisively taken down their rivals.

But regardless, the result is sealed—the Yankees have won again, the 'Evil Empire' continues its domination over Major League; and their opponent for the AL Championship will be the victor between Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians, both of whom fell to the Yankees last year, who knows what changes the series this year might unveil..."

For the New York Yankees, the 2018 postseason seemed an echo of last year: after a hard-fought victory against their divisional arch-rival Red Sox, the Yankees, steadily rising, went on in the AL Championship Series for another sweep—

The Cleveland Indians, who advanced after struggling against the Astros, proved no match for the Yankees, with ace pitcher Kluber experiencing evident decline in form compared to last year; the Yankees averaged 8.2 runs per game across four games, relying on their fierce and swift offense to thoroughly overpower the opponent.

As time progressed to late October, the Yankees' World Series opponents were decided once more: National League's rising surprise Milwaukee Brewers, who seized the top of the league, faced NL's second-placed Los Angeles Dodgers in a 7-game bloodbath, leaving their starting and bullpen resources almost depleted, the Dodgers finally prevailed with deeper pitching staff smiles, advancing to the World Series for the second consecutive year with a 4-3 score.

Consecutively for another year, the east-west coast showdown between New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers became MLB's closing epic, only this time, the Yankees played as the defenders.

As the team in a more favorable position between the two, the Yankees had ample rest time after sweeping the Indians; conversely, the series with the Brewers almost extinguished the Dodgers' last bullet, with players' bodies and spirits in fatigued conditions.

Between gains and losses, the gap between the Yankees and Dodgers grew wider—this season, due to various reasons, the Dodgers saw declines in strength and competitive state compared to last season, now having to battle the Yankees once more in weariness, the results then were inevitable.

Still a gentleman's sweep, the Yankees replicated last year's World Series result, defeating the opponent in just five games, achieving Major League Baseball's first back-to-back championship since 2000.

When the umpire's declaration sounded, Dodger Stadium fell silent, only hearing the rampant cheers of Yankees players; meanwhile, along the first base side of the player area, head coach Don Mattingly, already teary-eyed, couldn't say a word.

Starting in 1979 when New York Yankees selected him, he, as the leader, accompanied this team through the darkest 1980s—in that time, it could be said Mattingly carried the Yankees on his shoulders single-handedly;

Yet such a great player, who collapsed right before dawn: the season following his retirement, the Yankees who accumulated strength, won the World Series, claiming their 24th gold trophy in team history.

Now, 39 years swiftly passed, he transitioned from a handsome young man to today's gray-haired elder—now, Don Mattingly could finally proudly tell everyone:

He, is the World Champion!

And during the Yankees' championship award ceremony, in front of baseball fans worldwide, Lin Guanglai once again made his proclamation:

"Everyone says, 'New York Yankees are back, they're going to ruin baseball again' and such, if it's that way..."

"Next season, let's truly destroy baseball!!"