The New York Yankees’ Super Bash Bros, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge came out swinging Tuesday night in Game 5 of the ALDS to capture the early lead against the Cleveland Guardians. The early lead worked to the Yankees’ advantage, and they were able to hold that lead the whole game, giving up just one run to the Guardians.
After a 4-2 victory, the five-game, eight-day series is finished. The Yankees are headed to the American League Championship for the first time since 2019. The ALCS opens in a best-of-seven series against the Houston Astros Wednesday night with the Yankees four-starter, Jameson Taillon (3.91 ERA), and the Astros’ ace, Justin Verlander (1.75 ERA), on the mound.
Game 5 Recap - Super Bash Bros Provide Fireworks
Game 5 was originally slated for Monday night, but a rain postponement moved the game to Tuesday. The Yankees originally had their four-starter, Jameson Taillon, starting against the Guardians’ four-starter, Aaron Civale, but with an extra day off, the Yankees decided to pass the baton to their short-rested two-starter, Nestor Cortes (2.44 ERA). The Guardians decided to stick with Civale rather than start their ace, Shane Bieber, and that backfired quickly.
Civale opened the game with a walk to Gleyber Torres, a hit-by-pitch to Anthony Rizzo, and a "Stantonion blast" when Giancarlo Stanton came up to blast a three-run home run, giving the Yankees the early 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Aaron Judge made history again in the second inning when he surpassed his teammate and Super Bash Bro, Giancarlo Stanton, hitting his fourth career home run in a winner-take-all postseason game. Three was previously the most in history.
Cortes gave the Yankees five solid innings on 61 pitches and one run, and was relieved by Jonathan Loiasaga, Clay Holmes, and Wandy Peralta, none of which gave up a run, and they combined for five strikeouts across four innings.
The Road to Broadway
The ALCS—a best-of-seven series—opens Wednesday against the Houston Astros (AL #1 seed) at Minute Maid Park in Houston at 7.37 p.m. EDT, and will return to the Bronx for games 3-5 (if needed) on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
The Yankees made their last ALCS appearance in 2019, and were eliminated in six games by the Astros. Should the Yankees get their revenge, and claim the American League pennant, it would be their first World Series appearance since their last World Series Championship in 2009 and 41st pennant title. The winner of the ALCS will play the winner of the NLCS (San Diego Padres or Philadelphia Phillies).
Just two teams stand between the Yankees, their 28th World Series Championship, and a confetti-filled parade down Broadway. Will the Chase for 28 soon become the Climb for 29?
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