Aaron Boone’s club didn’t have to wrestle the Baltimore Orioles or beat the Astros via Houston — although that last game had some appeal to Yankees Universe.

What the Yankees received in October was the gift of the AL Central, a division they dominated again this season with a 24-7 record.

Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium, despite an AL Division Series tied midway through Game 3, the Yankees found a way past the Kansas City Royals in four games.

Now the Yankees can set up their pitching exactly how they want for this best-of-seven AL Championship Series, while the Cleveland Guardians are fresh off Saturday’s decisive ALDS Game 5 win against the Detroit Tigers.