Yankees and DJ LeMahieu are on pace to do something special

LONDON — Exotic location, exquisite timing, simple message.

At the official halfway point of the Yankees’ season, could it be any more obvious that DJ LeMahieu is their most valuable player?

The London Series kicked off Saturday evening with some crazy new stuff amidst some utterly predictable nuances: LeMahieu, with four hits and five RBIs, led the way to a roller-coaster, 17-13 Yankees victory over the Red Sox at London Stadium.

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At 53-28, the Yankees are on pace to finish an astounding 106-56. And LeMahieu — who fittingly started this game at third base and finished at first base, showing off his versatility thanks to a Luke Voit injury — sits with a .342/.390/.528 slash line.

“I don’t know what to say,” the ultra-soft-spoken LeMahieu said. “I just feel I am in a good place.’’

An even more special place after Saturday, as he’ll forever be the first major leaguer to tally a hit in Europe. His game-starting single initiated a six-run first inning that knocked out Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello … which led to the defending World Series champs countering with their own six-run first inning that knocked out Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.

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“It always helps to get the leadoff guy on, too. DJ starts us off,” Aaron Judge said. “He’s been a fireplug for us. For him to get that first hit out of the way calmed everyone’s nerves.”

LeMahieu has proven to be the ultimate calming presence. He has led the charge in changing the Yankees’ offensive profile from all-or-nothing into a more contact-dependent group. Right in line with that, the Yankees’ ability to hit with runners in scoring position has improved precipitously thanks primarily to LeMahieu, who after going 2-for-3 in those situations on Saturday owns a .486/.506/.714 slash line.

“For me, it is having a good routine,” LeMahieu said of his overall success. “We have such a good lineup, I don’t feel I have to be the guy every day. Just relax and hit. … A couple of really good hitting coaches, too, they encourage good routines and watching video, too.
“I am just on a good roll and in a good place. Hopefully keep it going.’’

During this marathon, LeMahieu admitted afterward with a laugh, a few of his teammates asked him if it brought back memories of Coors Field, where he played his home games with the Rockies the prior seven years.

“I think tonight was kind of beyond a Coors Field game,” he said. “Like something I’ve never played, or been a part of.”

For the Yankees, everything LeMahieu feels beyond. He has performed above and beyond what anyone could have expected, and he’s even outperforming Manny Machado, whom many Yankees fans wanted instead of him.

He described the night as “one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Could the season wind up being the same? Halfway to October, it feels awfully special for LeMahieu and the Yankees.