The New York Yankees struck first in the American League Championship Series, securing a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. With powerful performances from sluggers Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, alongside an impressive outing from starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, the Yankees set the tone for the series.
Soto and Stanton each launched home runs into the bullpens beyond the outfield fence, while Rodón, despite a shaky postseason debut, demonstrated resilience. The left-hander allowed only three baserunners over six innings, striking out nine without issuing a walk. Newly appointed closer Luke Weaver sealed the win with a five-out save, showcasing his skill under pressure.
The Yankees are poised for Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday night, where ace Gerrit Cole will take the mound in hopes of extending their lead before the series moves to Ohio.
Rodón, a highly scrutinized $162 million signing, rebounded from a previous postseason setback. He dominated the Guardians, retiring 13 of the last 15 batters he faced. Soto provided a critical boost with a solo homer in the third inning, followed by Stanton’s insurance run in the seventh.
The Guardians’ pitching struggled, with starter Alex Cobb and reliever Joey Cantillo combining for six walks and several wild pitches, allowing the Yankees to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Cantillo’s wild pitches directly led to two Yankees runs, illustrating the importance of efficient pitching in postseason play.
In the eighth inning, a brief rally by the Guardians threatened to close the gap, but Weaver’s poise on the mound preserved the lead. He struck out pinch hitter Will Brennan and induced a ground ball from José Ramírez to end the threat, maintaining the Yankees’ advantage.
As the ALCS continues, the Yankees aim to build on this victory, leveraging their powerful lineup and strong pitching staff to advance deeper into the postseason.
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