Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night in their AL Division Series opener.

The series opener included five lead changes — the most in postseason history — but the Yankees secured the final momentum swing from a surprising place.

The unexpected sometimes occurs in the postseason such as a slumping player like Alex Verdugo delivering big plays for the Yankees on Saturday night against the Royals.

Alex Verdugo will be in left field when the Yankees open the ALDS against the Royals on Saturday night. The outfielder told The Post after Friday’s workout at the Stadium, “I’ll be in there,’’ when asked about Saturday’s lineup. Though manager Aaron Boone declined to announce a starter Friday, a source confirmed Verdugo would be in left.

The final New York Yankees player introduced during the pregame ceremonies of the club’s first postseason game was Alex Verdugo. Verdugo batted last and was manager Aaron Boone’s pick to start in left field for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

The final three-plus months of Alex Verdugo's first regular season with the New York Yankees were so frustrating that there were some doubts if he would be in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

The 28-year-old outfielder lost his starting job to rookie Jasson Domínguez late in the season but was penciled into Saturday’s lineup and made all the difference against the Royals.

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.