If you thought Juan Sotos first regular-season game with the Yankees was terrific, make room for his pinstriped playoff debut. Soto collected three hits and threw out a runner at home plate Saturday as the of the ALDS in The Bronx. The fans showed up today, Soto said. It was electric. Not long after receiving a loud ovation during pregame roster warm-ups 48,970 fans arent going to mi s a chance to re-court the 25-year-old soon-to-be free agent at this point Soto doubled down the left-field line in the first inning. Juan Soto, who had two hits, rips a single in the fifth inning of the Yankees 6-5 win over the Royals in Game Connor Phillips Jersey 1 of the ALDS on Oct 5, 2024. Robert Sabo / New York Post When the Yankees failed to score after putting runners on second and third with no outs, Soto kept the game scorele s by cutting down Salvador Perez at home plate. It was a big moment to steady , who allowed loud contact in the first two innings. I know Perez is not that fast, so I just tried to make sure I made a great throw. Dont try to overthrow it or anything make an accurate throw, Soto said. I was pretty far [deep]. You expect anything in the playoffs. Right when I threw it, I saw him and Im like, Ok, I have a shot. Added manager Aaron Boone, Theyre set up big time right there if they score that run. That was a big play. Explore More There were shades of when Soto threw out the would-be tying run in the ninth inning against the Astros on Opening Day. He also had an RBI single that started the season-opening comeback to turn a 4-0 deficit into a 5-4 win. It also was a forecast for a career-best 41-home run regular season. Ma sive free-agent payday all but sealed. He goes up there, it doesnt matter who is pitching for the other team, catcher Austin Wells said. Hes going to get on base and if he doesnt, hes going to be a tough out. He really wears out pitching staffs. Im glad hes on our team. A smiling Juan Soto (right) celebrates with Alex Verdugo (center) and Aaron Judge after the Yankees Game 1 victory. Jason Szenes / New York Post Soto didnt score a run or knock in a run Saturday, but he was in the middle of two scoring rallies. We showed today that we arent trying to be selfish, Soto said. We are trying to pa s the baton, take our walks. We arent trying to hit five-run homers. Soto singled in the fifth when the Yankees tied the score and took a 4-3 lead on a pair of bases-loaded walks. He later backed Alex Verdugos sixth-inning leadoff walk with a single that moved Verdugo into scoring position for Wells to deliver the two-out RBI single that tied the score at 5-5. Its no surprise to see Soto coming up big in the postseason. He picked up teammate Aaron Judge on a hitle s night. One of the reasons the blockbuster offseason trade for Soto even in the scary proposition where he is a one-year rental was a no-brainer is that he has the playoff pedigree. He had a 1.178 OPS as a 21-year-old in the seven-game 2019 World Series won by his Nationals. Brett Kennedy Jersey