Yankees eliminate Guardians, reach 1st World Series since 2009
The New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Saturday to win the ALCS and advance to their first World Series in 15 years.
Juan Soto delivered his signature Yankee moment: a go-ahead, three-run home run off Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis in the 10th inning.
JUAN SOTO. THREE-RUN HOMER. @YANKEES LEAD IN THE 10TH! pic.twitter.com/w5goa4pSwz
— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2024
"I was just saying to myself, 'You're all over that guy. You're all over that guy. He ain't got anything,'" Soto said.
He added: "Whenever you win it and take your team to the World Series, it's the best feeling you can ever have. That's what we play for."
Aaron Boone says that Juan Soto had "an at-bat for the ages" in the 10th inning pic.twitter.com/3WT9wowDqn
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 20, 2024
Cleveland held a 2-0 lead through five innings before Giancarlo Stanton ripped a game-tying blast in the top of the sixth. He was awarded ALCS MVP following the game after hitting four home runs in five contests.
The Yankees' bullpen held the Guardians scoreless the rest of the way.
Luke Weaver retired the side in the ninth to send the game to extras, then pitched around a single to complete the save in the 10th. Soto caught a fly ball in right field for the final out.
For the 41st time, the American League Championship trophy belongs to the @Yankees. pic.twitter.com/5yusciFH1z
— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2024
New York will face the winner of the Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Mets NLCS as the club goes for its first World Series title since 2009.