The Yankees are pennant favorites, the city is alive and what a week we have ahead

Just one night after the Mets clinched their stunning NLCS berth, the top-seeded Yankees slammed the door on the Royals’ fairy-tale season, closing out Game 4 of the ALDS in Kansas City, 3-1, to again reach the doorstep of the Fall Classic.

It is the first time in 24 years that the Yankees and Mets have reached the LCS in the same season.

While the Mets await the winner of Friday night’s deciding game between the Dodgers and Padres in Los Angeles, the Yankees will face the winner of Saturday’s Game 5 between the Guardians and Tigers in Cleveland.

Game 1 of the NLCS opens in California on Sunday. Game 1 of the ALCS begins Monday in The Bronx.