The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series after getting past the Kansas City Royals. On the opposing side, the Cleveland Guardians were coming off a dangerously close win over Detroit thanks to Lane Thomas’ groundbreaking grand slam in game 5. Cleveland punched their ticket to their first ALCS since 2016. However this stage was familiar for the New York Yankees as they were here just two seasons prior.
The first game of the series played in the Bronx was won by the Yankees due to an early spark from Juan Soto who they recently added this past offseason. Game 2, in New York, had a similar outcome with the Yankees getting ahead and staying ahead. Aaron Judge put the nail in the coffin with his 7th inning home run to make the Yankees only two wins away from making their first World Series in 15 years.
The Guardians had other plans in mind. Game 3 happened to be a must win for them. Cleveland fans packed Progressive Field on October 17th. The veteran Matthew Boyd was crafty on the bump when facing dangerous Yankee hitters. He kept them off balance and only allowed two hits and one run through five innings. The Guardians were holding onto a 3-1 lead in the 8th inning when Judge blasted a 2 run home run to right field. Game tied at 3-3, the next batter, Stanton stepped up to the plate and crushed the ball deep to center. Back to back home runs for the Yankees made it 4-3. Putting salt in the wound for Cleveland fans the Yankees extended their lead by two runs.
The game was slipping away and Cleveland was down to their last out in the 9th trailing 5-3. With Cleveland fans beginning to flee the stadium, the ALDS hero, Lane Thomas, hit a double off the towering left center fence. Up came the ice cold Jhonkensy Noel who up to this point was statistically one of the worst hitters in the postseason. Noel, also known as “Big Christmas” dug into the righty batters box. At this moment Cleveland was in desperate need of a clutch hit from Big Christmas. The rookie turned on one to left field, a no doubter. Big Christmas had tied the game at 5 with his miracle home run! After sending the game into extra innings the Guardians had all the momentum.
The game remained tied at five because of Pedro Avila’s shutout inning for the Guardians. With Bo Naylor at third and two outs in the inning David Fry had two strikes on him. Clay Holmes left a sinker over the plate for David Fry to absolutely demolish over the fence, walking it off for the Guardians. The stadium roared at the crack of David Fry’s bat. It was a happy night in Cleveland as the 28 year old trotted around the bases. If the night couldn’t get any more magical David Fry demonstrated why nothing is like playoff baseball with his game winning home run.
Game four in Cleveland was dominated by the Yankees until the Guardians pieced together a couple runs late in the game. It was tied at six in the last inning until the Yankees rallied to bring in two runs. Cleveland had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth, but they were no match for Kahnle’s changeup which he threw 18 times consecutively. The Yankees closed out the game making them one win away from an ALCS title.
Game five was a pitchers duel and came down to extra innings once again at Progressive field. An error by the young, upcoming shortstop, Rocchio gave the Yankees two base runners on. Juan Soto got up with two outs in the tenth facing Hunter Gaddis. The at bat was long and had everyone on the edge of their seats. This at bat could birth the Yankees their first trip to the World Series in years. On the 7th pitch Soto connects. The ball disappeared into the dark, night sky and eventually landed over the fence. The atmosphere of screaming Cleveland fans was quickly silenced. Soto had given the Yankees an insurmountable 5-2 lead. The Guardians were out of magic and one of the stars for the Guardians, Lane Thomas flew out to none other than the game MVP, Juan Soto. The series was over after five thrilling games, and the Yankees were headed to their first world series since 2009.
Freshman at Hingham High School, Liam Merrigan mentioned, “I am very sad that the yankees ended up winning because I am a Boston fan at heart.” As a supporter for the Guardians, Liam was heartbroken after four of the five thrilling games were lost to the Yankees. James Slankas, another Freshman, stated, “Juan Soto was just too good for Cleveland to handle.” James, referencing the three run home run in the 10th inning to put the Yankees up three, outlines how remarkable Soto was in this series. Hopefully Soto can continue his hot streak for the Yankees as they will need his star qualities against the Dodgers.
