RI's King excited to be a Yankee and in the wild-card race

BOSTON — There was one noteworthy change Michael King would have made to his dream scenario at Fenway Park.  

The Yankees would already have an American League East title and playoff berth secured with nine games remaining. The Red Sox would be chasing from a good distance out in the postseason race, likely to miss October for the third straight season. 

That’s not where the two teams found one another entering this weekend’s three-game showdown. New York and Boston reunited on Friday night with the Red Sox holding a two-game lead for the top A.L. wild-card spot. 

“Obviously we’d rather be way out front, but every game matters now,” King said. “So it’s fun that way. It’s kind of what you play for.” 

King, the Warwick native and former Bishop Hendricken star, was a childhood Yankees fan and has been parachuted back into the club’s latest quest to reach the World Series. He suffered a right middle finger contusion in a July weight room accident that required more than two months on the injured list. King caught his digit between a pair of dumbbells and required an extended period out of action for the swelling in the joint to subside. 

“I was able to lift,” King said. “I was able to run. I was able to do everything. I just couldn’t throw a baseball. It got pretty frustrating.  

“My mom (Michele) always says 10-second pity party, so I tried to have a positive attitude throughout the whole rehab process.”  

King served as a starter in June after a host of Yankees veterans suffered a rash of injuries. He’s slotted into a long-relief role now and has been excellent in four outings this month, working to a 0.96 ERA. King entered Friday allowing just two hits in his 9 1/3 innings and striking out 10 against a lone walk. 

“I knew I wasn’t built up coming out of the three rehab outings that I had,” King said. “I’m more than ready for whatever role they throw at me.” 

King was out from July 3 to Sept. 10, and New York played its way back into the playoff picture during that time. The Yankees took a one-game lead over Toronto into Friday night’s contest and have series remaining with Boston, the Blue Jays and the Rays. Tampa Bay is cruising to an A.L. East crown, holding a six-game lead on the Red Sox. 

“Seeing the team go on that 13-game winning streak — I'm very proud to be a New York Yankee,” King said. “That makes you feel good even though you’re missing out.” 

New York is scheduled to be off on Monday before three more critical games against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Yankees finish their schedule in the Bronx with three against the Rays, and Tampa Bay could be resting its regulars ahead of an already clinched A.L. Division Series berth. These might be just nine games in a full schedule of 162, but they’ve certainly taken on added importance. 

“It’s tough to overlook that,” King said. “That’s the mentality we’re trying to have. It’s just one game.  

“It’s not like we have to blow up this series and say this is make or break. Every game in every series is make or break.” 

bkoch@providencejournal.com  

On Twitter: @BillKoch25