Cleveland Guardians vs Ny Yankees Yankees Picks and Predictions October 17th 2024

Matthew Boyd, Guardians Aim to Halve Yankees’ ALCS Lead

CLEVELAND — With the American League Championship Series shifting to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday, the New York Yankees hold all the cards, leading the series 2-0. The Cleveland Guardians find themselves in a tough spot, having been undone by missed opportunities and costly mistakes in the first two games. But with the next three games at home, the Guardians are optimistic about turning the tide.

“We’re always confident going into every game,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “We love playing at home. We love playing in front of our fans. Knowing we have three games here, we feel really good about it. Obviously, we would have loved to take one in New York, but we still feel good about our chances.”

Guardians Look to Bounce Back

Cleveland’s struggles in the first two games were largely self-inflicted. Defensive miscues and a lack of timely hitting—especially with runners in scoring position, where they went 1-for-11—have been key factors in their two losses. In the opener, they fell 5-2, and Tuesday’s 6-3 defeat was no better, with the Guardians leaving too many opportunities on the table.

Credit is also due to the Yankees’ pitching staff, which has withstood pressure in both games. Despite Cleveland recording eight hits and six walks in Game 2, their only run-scoring hit came on a ninth-inning solo home run by José Ramírez, long after the outcome was all but decided.

Now, the Guardians look to regroup as they head back to Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Left-hander Matthew Boyd will get the start for the Guardians in Game 3, aiming to put the team on his back and give them their first win of the series.

Boyd Ready for the Challenge

Boyd (0-0, 0.00 ERA in the postseason) has been effective in his limited playoff action so far. In the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, he pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless, four-hit ball in Game 2 and followed it up with two innings of one-hit ball in the decisive Game 5. In total, Boyd struck out 10 and walked three, showing command and composure under pressure.

Though Boyd’s postseason experience is limited, he’s relishing the opportunity to pitch in high-stakes games. “I’ve spent the better part of nine seasons watching the playoffs from home,” Boyd said. “It feels invigorating. It feels like Opening Day all over again, but even more.”

Boyd is fully aware of the challenge that the Yankees lineup poses. “They have a very good lineup, and it’s a welcome challenge,” Boyd said. “Respect these guys, and it’ll be a fun task.” Indeed, the Yankees lineup, led by Aaron Judge, has been potent throughout the postseason, but Boyd’s ability to neutralize big hitters will be crucial if the Guardians are to stage a comeback.

Yankees’ Schmidt Looks to Extend Series Lead

Opposing Boyd on the mound will be Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (0-0, 3.86 ERA). Schmidt pitched in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, where he allowed two runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals. Schmidt will be tasked with keeping the Guardians’ offense in check as New York looks to move within one game of the World Series.

Schmidt is mindful of the scrappy nature of Cleveland’s lineup. “I think they do the small things right,” Schmidt said. “When you face teams like this, they pose a challenge because you can’t really take anyone off. Anyone can get a hit, top to bottom. They’re scrappy but also have the ability to slug.”

The Yankees will be looking to capitalize on Cleveland’s mistakes once again while relying on the depth of their bullpen, which has performed admirably so far in the series. With a 2-0 lead, New York can afford to play loose, but Schmidt knows that the Guardians will fight to the last out.

Guardians Desperate to Stay Alive

For Cleveland, Game 3 is a must-win. Falling behind 3-0 to the Yankees would be nearly insurmountable. The Guardians will need their offense to come alive and, most importantly, deliver in the clutch. Players like Ramírez and Josh Naylor will be expected to step up and produce when it matters most.

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While the Yankees have shown resilience and depth, Cleveland has proven capable of bouncing back before. Now back at home, the Guardians will look to their fans and Matthew Boyd to help shift the momentum of the series. Should they fail to do so, their dream of advancing to the World Series will be on life support.

The Stage is Set

As the series moves to Cleveland, the Guardians know the stakes are higher than ever. Game 3 presents a critical juncture, and both teams will be bringing everything they’ve got. Boyd’s ability to navigate the powerful Yankees lineup and Schmidt’s challenge in keeping the Guardians’ offense quiet will be the key storylines to watch.