Ny Yankees vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions October 14th 2024

Yankees, Guardians Express Mutual Respect Ahead of ALCS

The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians are set to clash in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), a matchup featuring two of the league’s best teams. With both clubs finishing the regular season with the top two records in the AL, they now meet in a best-of-seven series to determine who will represent the league in the World Series.

Familiar Playoff Rivals

This series marks the seventh postseason meeting between the Yankees and Guardians, with recent encounters in the AL Division Series in 2017 and 2022—both won by the Yankees. However, their only prior ALCS matchup came in 1998, when the Yankees prevailed in six games en route to winning the World Series.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the Guardians, saying, “They do it a lot of different ways. A tremendous bullpen, athletic, they defend really well… they have a couple of guys that can really hurt you in the middle of the order, including a superstar in José Ramírez.”

Pitching Matchup: Carlos Rodón vs. Alex Cobb

Game 1 will feature a duel between New York left-hander Carlos Rodón and Cleveland right-hander Alex Cobb. Both pitchers struggled in the ALDS and are looking for redemption.

Rodón, who posted a 9.82 ERA in the ALDS, will need to rebound after a tough outing against the Royals. He has an 8-5 career record with a 2.81 ERA against the Guardians and respects Cleveland’s lineup. “It’s a formidable lineup… a fun challenge,” Rodón noted.

Cobb, who took a loss in the ALDS against the Tigers, has plenty of experience against the Yankees from his AL East days. “They’ve seen me plenty over the years,” Cobb said. In 20 career starts against New York, he has a 3.19 ERA.

Yankees’ Path to the ALCS

The Yankees secured a 94-68 record and home-field advantage in the ALCS, edging the Guardians by a single game. While they won their ALDS series against the Kansas City Royals 3-1, their offense was inconsistent, with Aaron Judge struggling at 2-for-13 while Giancarlo Stanton (6-for-16) and Juan Soto (4-for-14) led the way.

Guardians’ Road to the ALCS

The Guardians (93-69) are back in the ALCS for the first time since 2016, advancing after a tough five-game series win over the Detroit Tigers. Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas played pivotal roles in the ALDS, but José Ramírez will need to bounce back after a quiet series. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt remains confident, saying, “We know the Yankees are good, but we’re confident in who we are.”

Keys to the Series

1. Yankees’ Power vs. Guardians’ Pitching

The Yankees’ lineup is known for its power, but consistency is key. With Cleveland boasting a strong bullpen, players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton need to deliver against elite pitching.

2. Guardians’ Small Ball Approach

Cleveland’s offense relies on speed, defense, and timely hitting. Ramírez, Kwan, and Thomas will be essential in creating runs against a Yankees team that can score quickly.

3. Starting Pitchers’ Rebounds

Both Rodón and Cobb struggled in the ALDS. Whichever starter can settle down in Game 1 and give their team a quality outing could set the tone for the series.

Series Outlook

This ALCS matchup promises a clash of different styles. The Yankees’ power offense and home-field advantage give them a slight edge, but Cleveland’s pitching depth and ability to play small ball keep them competitive. Execution in key moments will determine the outcome of this hard-fought series.

Prediction: Yankees in 6

While both teams are evenly matched, the Yankees’ offensive firepower and experience in big games could be the deciding factor. Expect a close series, but New York’s ability to hit the long ball and take advantage of opportunities may give them the edge in six games.