October baseball is in full swing as the American League Championship Series prepares to showcase a thrilling matchup between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees. The Guardians, after a nail-biting five-game series against the Detroit Tigers, have earned their spot in the ALCS. Meanwhile, the Yankees swiftly eliminated the Kansas City Royals in just four games. The first game of the series will feature Guardians’ experienced right-hander Alex Cobb (2-1, 2.76 ERA) opposing Yankees’ lefty Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA). Fans can look forward to the first pitch at 7:38 PM EST.
Cleveland’s Resilience Shines Through
The Cleveland Guardians faced a do-or-die situation in Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers, needing a win to advance. They found themselves up against Tarik Skubal, a front-runner for the AL Cy Young award. In a moment of brilliance, Lane Thomas, making his postseason debut, delivered a grand slam in the fifth inning. This pivotal hit shifted the momentum and propelled the Guardians to a 7-3 victory, allowing them to move on to the ALCS. The team utilized eight pitchers in this critical game, including two scoreless innings from closer Emmanuel Clase.
“We’re up against a very strong Yankees team,” said Guardians’ first-year manager Stephen Vogt. “We have faced them during the regular season, and they are undoubtedly one of the most skilled teams in the league.”
The Guardians are entering this series with a challenging history against the Yankees, having lost four of six games in the regular season. Key players like All-Stars Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor will need to step up, as their playoff performance thus far has been below expectations. Ramirez and Naylor have struggled, combining for just seven hits in 36 at-bats, which includes only four RBIs. In contrast, left-fielder Steven Kwan has shined with a .524 batting average and six runs scored in the series against the Tigers. Lane Thomas has also impressed, contributing nine RBIs and two home runs.
Cleveland’s Game 1 starter, Alex Cobb, has some familiarity with Yankee Stadium from his time with the Tampa Bay Rays. Having only pitched eight games this season due to an injury, Cobb carries a 2-1 record with a 2.76 ERA. He didn’t face the Yankees during the regular season, and his playoff experience has been limited, with an 0-1 record after a three-inning start in which he allowed three hits and struck out two. It’s likely that Cobb will not pitch beyond five innings in this crucial opener.
Key Injuries: RP James Karinchak and CF Tyler Freeman are on the injured list.
Yankees Rely on Rodon
The New York Yankees are back in the ALCS after missing the playoffs the previous year. They dominated the Kansas City Royals, winning four games in a row, including a decisive 3-1 victory in Game 4. The Yankees’ strong bullpen and timely hits from various players, apart from Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, were crucial for their success. Gerrit Cole delivered a standout performance, pitching seven innings, allowing six hits, and striking out four batters to secure the win. The Yankees’ bullpen has continued its impressive postseason streak, holding opponents scoreless for 15.2 innings.
“Last year, we were watching from the sidelines,” said Aaron Judge, who made the final out against the Royals. “We all came together, determined that we wouldn’t let that happen again.”
The Yankees’ success against the Guardians in the regular season indicates they will need to improve their offensive output in the ALCS. While Giancarlo Stanton has performed well, hitting .375 with a home run, the team overall has struggled, managing just three homers in the playoffs, with Judge and Soto failing to contribute any. Judge’s postseason struggles have been notable, as he has only two hits in 13 at-bats, resulting in a .154 average without an RBI.
For Game 1, the Yankees will send Carlos Rodon to the mound. Rodon concluded the regular season with a 16-9 record, a 3.94 ERA, and 195 strikeouts in 175 innings. He was particularly effective at home, with a 9-2 record and a 3.11 ERA this season. However, Rodon struggled in his playoff debut, lasting only 3.2 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Despite his rocky playoff start, Rodon ended the regular season strong, winning two of his last five starts with a 2.20 ERA.
Key Injuries: 1B Anthony Rizzo, SP Nestor Cortes, DJ LeMahieu, and SP JT Brubaker are all sidelined.
Best Bets for Guardians vs. Yankees
The Yankees enter Game 1 well-rested, while the Guardians are coming off an exhausting five-game series. The Guardians’ bullpen faced a significant workload, especially in Game 5, where they utilized eight pitchers. Starting Cobb in the opener may lead to another lengthy night for Cleveland’s bullpen, which could be strained. Given the format of the series, the Guardians might give Cobb a bit more leeway in this longer series as the pressure to win Game 1 is somewhat alleviated. With Rodon on the mound for the Yankees, the focus will be on which version of him shows up. Rodon has been inconsistent this season, but when at his best, he can dominate at Yankee Stadium. With a solid performance expected and a rested bullpen ready to step in, the Yankees are likely to secure victory in Game 1.
