The New York Yankees wrapped up their Saturday practice at Yankee Stadium just as the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers kicked off their decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series in Cleveland. After working on their batting and pitching, Yankees players gathered around the clubhouse televisions to watch the game, eager to learn who their next opponent would be.
Cleveland clinched its spot in the American League Championship Series with a 7-3 victory over Detroit, thanks in part to a game-changing grand slam by center fielder Lane Thomas in the fifth inning, which came off Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal. Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase then secured the win with a six-out save, delivering two flawless innings to punch Cleveland’s ticket to the next round.
The Yankees, meanwhile, advanced to the ALCS earlier, defeating the Kansas City Royals in four games, clinching their Division Series with a 3-1 win on Thursday night.
This ALCS marks the fourth postseason meeting between the Yankees and Guardians since 2017 and the third in just five years. The series is set to open at Yankee Stadium, with Game 1 on Monday and Game 2 on Tuesday, both slated for 7:37 p.m. The Yankees (94-68) and Guardians (92-69) finished with the best records in the American League, setting up a showdown between two evenly-matched teams.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the Guardians’ consistent performance throughout the season, pointing out their depth, strong bullpen, and solid defense. He emphasized the importance of Cleveland’s balanced offense, which has been a key part of their success.
Cleveland’s ALCS appearance marks a return to the postseason after missing out last year, which was also Terry Francona’s final season as manager. Rookie skipper Stephen Vogt, a former catcher who only recently retired, guided the Guardians to a division title in his first season. Vogt’s leadership has been widely praised, particularly for his adept management of the bullpen and strategic use of platoons.
Boone also commended Vogt’s handling of the team, highlighting his ability to adjust quickly to the challenges of managing at the big-league level. The series is expected to be a tight contest between two well-rounded clubs, both hungry to advance to the World Series.
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) schedule between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians has been set, with the series kicking off on Monday, October 14. Yankee Stadium will host the first two games, both starting at 7:37 p.m. and broadcast on TBS. The series will then shift to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 on October 17 and 18. If needed, Game 5 would also be in Cleveland on October 19. Should the series require Games 6 and 7, they will return to New York on October 21 and 22. All games will be aired on TBS.
| Date | Start time | TV | |
| Game 1 | Mon., Oct. 14 | 7:37 p.m. ET | TBS, TruTV, Max |
| Game 2 | Tues., Oct. 15 | 7:37 p.m. ET | TBS, TruTV, Max |
| Game 3 | Thurs., Oct. 17 | TBA | TBS |
| Game 4 | Fri., Oct. 18 | TBA | TBS |
| Game 5 (if necessary) | Sat., Oct. 19 | TBA | TBS |
| Game 6 (if necessary) | Mon., Oct. 21 | TBA | TBS |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Tues., Oct. 22 | TBA | TBS |
During the regular season, the Yankees had the upper hand, winning four of the six meetings. The teams first squared off in a doubleheader in Cleveland on April 13, where New York swept both games. Cleveland picked up a win the following day, but when the two teams met again in August at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees took two out of three, including a shutout in the series finale.
| Where to watch Game 1 | |
| Date | Monday, Oct. 14 |
| Time | 7:37 p.m. ET |
| Location | Yankee Stadium (New York) |
| Channel | TBS, TruTV | Live stream: Max |
| Probable pitchers | TBA |
| Odds | NYY -160 | CLE +135; over/under: 7.5 |
Yankees vs. Guardians: ALCS storyline
The postseason history between these two teams is extensive, with the Yankees coming out on top in four of their six previous playoff series. Their first postseason clash came in the 1997 American League Division Series (ALDS), which Cleveland won. However, New York bounced back to win the 1998 ALCS. Cleveland responded by taking the 2007 ALDS, but the Yankees have since won three straight series against the Guardians, including the 2017 ALDS, the 2020 American League Wild Card Series, and the 2022 ALDS. This long-standing postseason rivalry adds extra excitement as the two teams prepare to face off once again.
To reach their first World Series since 2009, the Yankees will need star slugger Aaron Judge to step up after a quiet performance in the American League Division Series (ALDS), where he managed just two hits in 13 at-bats. They’ll also be counting on Giancarlo Stanton’s power and ace Gerrit Cole’s continued dominance on the mound, both of whom shined in the ALDS.
One challenge for the Yankees will be adjusting their bullpen strategy, as the ALCS schedule is more compact than the ALDS, which had an extra off-day. Relievers Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver, who appeared in all four ALDS games, may not be available as frequently, meaning the rest of the bullpen will need to rise to the occasion to handle the increased workload.
The Cleveland Guardians, meanwhile, are making their first ALCS appearance since 2016, when they won the pennant but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. The Guardians, still seeking their first World Series title since 1948, currently hold the longest championship drought in Major League Baseball.
During their ALDS win over the Detroit Tigers, the Guardians leaned on a bullpen-heavy strategy, using at least five pitchers in every game. Rookie manager Stephen Vogt is expected to continue this tactical approach as his team takes on the Yankees.
This ALCS matchup shapes up to be a compelling contest, pitting the Yankees’ star-studded roster against the Guardians’ methodical pitching strategy, with both clubs fighting for a World Series berth.
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