The American League Championship Series kicks off in Cleveland with the New York Yankees taking a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians after their big bats jumped all over the AL Central champions in the first two games in the Bronx. Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto each hit two home runs in a 5-2 win in Game 1, then Aaron Judge went deep in New York’s 6-3 win in Game 2. The Yankees haven’t been to a World Series since 2009, and they’re halfway to their 41st AL pennant in the 2024 ALCS.
With the series now being played in the Midwest, the Guardians have a chance to return to the series on their home turf, where they have 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.
The Yankees have rookie Clark Schmidt (0-0, 3.86 ERA, 4.2 IP, 4 K 1 BB in 2024 postseason) on the mound in his second start in the playoffs against Matthew Boyd, who has not allowed a run in two postseason innings. Outings (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.2 IP 10, K 3 BB) for the Guardians.
How to watch Yankees vs. Guardians ALCS 3 (New York leads 2-0)
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Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:53 PM EST
Another angle for one of the biggest players in Guardians history if they take this game.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:52 PM EST
What a play by Andres Jimenez and Josh Naylor. It looks like Jazz Chisholm Jr. He sneaks onto the field, but Giménez tracks her down and somehow gets to Naylor in time. Neither player was balanced on the ball, but a second was desperately needed in the 10th inning.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:49 PM EDT Who is Junkinssie Noel?
The Guardians’ newest hero is a rookie who was called up to the major leagues in June and played 67 games during the regular season, hitting .218/.288/.486 with 13 home runs. Exactly the kind of guy you want when you need a Homer.
He wasn’t a big-time international prospect when he signed with the Guardians in 2017, and he was never listed among the top 100 prospects, but he’s a big man with great power at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. Hence his nickname, Big Christmas (his last name is Noel, see).
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:43 PM EST
The inning ends one batter later with a strikeout, but suddenly we’re headed to extras. This is a playoff game.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:42 PM ESTGuardians 5, Yankees 5
It’s the big Christmas in October. Jhonkensy comes up with the biggest homer of his career, a game-tying, no-doubt, pinch-hit, two-run homer to left field to stun the Yankees.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:40 PM EST
Well, now Len Thomas fires a brace into the midfield wall. It came down to pinch hitter Jhonkensy Noel.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:37 PM EST
Josh Naylor then hits a 1-6-3 double play. The Guardians have suddenly reached their last exit.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:36 PM EST
Jose Ramirez reaches base on an Anthony Rizzo error, and now the Guardians take the tying run at the plate with no outs. Clay Holmes is heating up if the southpaw turns to Weaver.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:32 PM EST
Juan Soto hits to end the top of the ninth. The Guardians will need two rounds against Luke Weaver, who stays put to make four saves.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:30 PM EST, Yankees 5, Guardians 3
A sacrifice fly from Gleyber Torres brought Volpe in, with Alex Verdugo moving to third. Next: Juan Soto.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:25 PM EST
Eli Morgan came to Clase and is now coming off a win over Austin Wells. There are still two runners in scoring position with one out for Andrew Walters to take over.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:22 PM EST
Hoo boy. The Guardians appeared to have a third down on third down, but the roster 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.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:13 PM EST
Weaver hits Frye, and the Rangers reach their final three games. Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor and Len Thomas will be in the bottom of the ninth.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:07 PM EST
Tommy Kahnle gets the second out but he walks Stephen Cowan and then gets the hook. Luke Weaver is coming to face David Fry.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:02 PM EST
Well, there’s a double from Will Brennan. The Guardians have an even run in scoring position with one out.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:02 PM EST
Emmanuel Klass in the regular season:
74 1/3 innings, 5 earned runs, 2 home runs allowed
Emmanuel Klass in the post-season:
6 innings pitched, 6 earned runs, 3 home runs allowed
– Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 18, 2024
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:57 PM EST
The inning finally ended on a sliding catch by Daniel Schneemann, but the damage had been done. Cleveland needs to come back or face a potential sweep on Friday.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:55 PM EST
The call has been confirmed. Bad times for the Guardians, as Clase now allows a single to Jazz Chisholm. The best player in baseball has never gotten out of three hits.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:54 PM EST
Wow, now the bouncers are challenging that Stanton didn’t touch first base on the homer.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:53 PM EST Yankees 4, Guardians 3
Emmanuel Clase allowed two home runs throughout the regular season. He just allowed Judge and Giancarlo Stanton to take turns. It is his third homer allowed in the postseason.
The Yankees are suddenly six teams away from going 3-0 in the ALCS.
