Alex Verdugo delivered the game-winning RBI in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday night, a single in the bottom of the seventh that was the difference in a 6-5 victory over the Royals.

Juan Soto said after Saturday night’s 6-5 victory over the Royals in Game 1 of the AL Division Series that the Yankees don’t mind having an odd day off on Monday -- even though they just had five days off before the opener and are off again on Tuesday before the series shifts to Kansas City.

The manager’s instincts were vindicated Saturday night. Verdugo delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, propelling the Yankees to a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. In a game that saw five lead changes — the most in MLB postseason history — Verdugo’s opposite-field hit secured the Yankees a 1-0 start in the ALDS.