The American League Championship Series opens in Cleveland with the New York Yankees taking a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians after their big bats swept the AL Central champions in the first two games in the Bronx. Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto both hit home runs in a 5-2 Game 1 win, and then Aaron Judge went deep in New York's 6-3 win in Game 2. The Yankees haven't been to the World Series since 2009 and are halfway to their 41st AL pennant in the 2024 ALCS.
With the series now in the Midwest, the Guardians have a chance to return to the series on home turf, where they've been good all year. At 50–30, Cleveland had the best regular-season home record in the American League. Also, the Guardians took two of three games at Progressive Field in the ALDS against the Tigers.
Yankees starter Clark Schmid (0-0, 3.86 ERA, 4.2 IP, 4 K 1 BB in 2024 postseason) is on the mound for his second start of the playoffs against Matthew Boyd, who hasn't allowed a run in his two postseason starts. outing for the Guardians (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.2 IP 10, K 3 BB).
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Juan Soto struck out in the top of the ninth. The Guardians needed two runs against Luke Weaver, who had four outs for the save.
Yankees 5, Guardians 3
A sacrifice fly from Gleyber Torres brought in Volpe, Alex Verdugo moved to third. Next: Juan Soto.
Eli Morgan came in for class and is now coming out after dismissing Austin Wells. Andrew Walters took over with one out and still two runners in scoring position.
hey boy The Guardians appeared to have the lead runner out at third, but the run ended with Jose Ramirez losing the ball while trying to tag Anthony Volpe. Now the Yankees have runners on second and third with no outs and a chance to add some insurance.
Weaver struck out Fry, and the Guardians were down to their final three outs. Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas would finish ninth.
Tommy Kahnle gets the second out but walks Steven Kwan and then gets Hook. Luke Weaver is coming to face David Fry.
Well, Will Brennan has a double. The Guardians have the tying run in scoring position with one out.
Emanuel Class in Regular Season: 74 1/3 innings, 5 earned runs, 2 home runs allowed
Immanuel class in the postseason: 6 innings, 6 earned runs, 3 home runs allowed
The innings eventually ended with a sliding catch by Daniel Snyman, but the damage was done. Cleveland needs a comeback or will face a potential sweep on Friday.
Call confirmed. Bad timing for parents, Clase is now allowing singles at Jazz Chisholm. The best reliever in baseball didn't strike out three batters.
Wow, now the Guardians are challenging that Stanton didn't touch first base on the homer.
Yankees 4, Guardians 3
Emmanuel Claes allowed two home runs all regular season. He only allowed Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the back yard. It was his third homer allowed in the postseason.
The Yankees are suddenly six outs away from taking a 3-0 lead in the ALCS.
Yankees 3, Guardians 3
Parents can say they did the smart thing. They can say that they brought their best people. They can't say it worked.
After going up 0-2, Emmanuel Claes allowed a game-tying home run to Aaron Judge, a frozen rope to right field. It's a new ballgame in Cleveland, suddenly sweeping the horizon again
Gaddis walked Juan Soto, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt actually brought two outs to face Judge. This could be in play right here.
Emmanuel Claes is already warming up in the bottom of the eighth. Gaddis has a good chance to arrive if Aaron Judge reaches the lineup.
Kahnle pitches a scoreless seventh inning and now it's on to the Yankees' offense, with six outs left.
Tim Mayza allowed a leadoff walk to David Fry and that would end his day. Tommy Kanle comes in with one on and none out.
Herrin gets a flyout from Verdugo to end the frame. It looks like this will be the eighth Hunter Gaddis.
Tim Herrin was one strike away to end the inning after a John Bertie double play erased a leadoff walk, but Anthony Volpe extended the inning with a double. Alex Verdugo will try to get him now.
Kwan was dismissed to end the innings. With the Yankees still needing two runs over the next three innings, Tim Herrin (Leader Guardians No. 2 reliever) came on for Cade Smith.
