In a back-and-forth ALDS Game 1, it wasn’t Gerrit Cole, Juan Soto or even Aaron Judge playing hero.

It was Alex Verdugo who provided the game-winning hit in a 6-5 Yankees’ victory over the Royals on Saturday night in the Stadium in a matchup that saw five lead changes.

Verdugo, who struggled at the plate most of the season, sliced a single to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning to drive home Jazz Chisholm from second and break a tie game.

Gleyber Torres started the Yankees scoring with a two-run homer in the third inning after the Royals took an early 1-0 lead.

Cole was not at his sharpest as he allowed four runs (three earned) over five-plus innings.

But the bullpen was able to hold off Kansas City with new closer Luke Weaver getting the final four outs in his first postseason appearance.