The Yankees have made a habit of playing close games early on this season, including the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader when their bullpen had to walk a tightrope for a one-run win over the Guardians.

But they turned on cruise control in the nightcap.

After Oswaldo Cabrera’s two-run homer lifted them to a 3-2 win in Game 1, the Yankees scored early and often in Game 2 to support an impressive spot start from right-hander Cody Poteet for an 8-2 win, sweeping the doubleheader at Progressive Field.

“Not an easy thing to do,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Especially when you spend the whole day here and the split doubleheader, to walk out of here with two wins is definitely nice, with an opportunity to have a great weekend Sunday.”

With the sweep of the Guardians (9-5), the Yankees improved to 12-3, matching the best start in franchise history through 15 games. 

Juan Soto delivered a three-run homer to help break the nightcap open in the fourth inning and Cabrera added an RBI double in the fifth as he takes over everyday third-base duties with Jon Berti landing on the IL.

The Yankees pounded out 19 hits and drew 15 walks between the two games, with their relentless offensive approach ensuring neither Guardians starter (Carlos Carrasco or Triston McKenzie) made it through the fifth inning. 

Dwight Gooden still had one regret about his career, which was how his time with the Mets ended.

Prior to his number retirement ceremony, Gooden said more than once  on Sunday he wanted to “make things right” with Mets fans after the way his tenure with the team ended in 1994, when he tested positive for cocaine and was suspended by MLB for all of the 1995 season.

“The fans stuck with me through everything,’’ Gooden said Sunday prior to his number retirement ceremony at Citi Field. “After ‘94, when the Mets cut ties with me, I always wanted to come back here.”

He got the opportunity on Sunday, when he recounted that he tried to return to the Mets as a player on several occasions, but the team never gave him the chance.

During his brief speech prior to Sunday’s game during an ill-timed rain shower, Gooden said he called the Mets following his two-year stint with the Yankees, which elicited a round of boos from the crowd.

Gooden responded, “I’m always a Met.”

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady teased a potential NFL comeback during an appearance on the ‘Deep Cut’ podcast.

“I’m not opposed to it,” Brady said when asked by the host if he’d answer the call from an NFL team needing a quarterback due to injury.

“I don’t know if they are going to let me if I become an owner of an NFL team. I’m always going to be in good shape. I’ll always be able to throw the ball. So, to come in for a little bit, like Michael Jordan coming back, I don’t know if they would let me. But I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

Mentioned was a hypothetical scenario where the San Francisco 49ers or the New England Patriots needed to sign a quarterback late in the season due to injury. They also mentioned the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom he has a deal to become a minority owner pending league approval.