2024 ALCS Preview: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

2024 ALCS Preview: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians are set to face off against the New York Yankees in the 2024 ALCS.

These teams last met in the 2022 postseason when New York bested Cleveland in 5 games. Cleveland is better now, but will it be enough, or can the Yankees finally make it back to the World Series for the first time in 15 years? 

New York has two of the best players in this series: Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Both are the best players at their positions this season, especially Judge, who is winning the AL MVP once again this year.

 We must remember Giancarlo Stanton, although he is entering the twilight phase of his career more and more. The ALDS against the Royals showed he is still a premiere postseason performer. Gerrit Cole spearheads the starting rotation, and in the bullpen, Luke Weaver has stepped up in a huge way to become the Yankees’ go-to reliever. This Yankee team has contributors up and down.

Cleveland is no pushover, either. Jose Ramirez leads this offense and has come up big for Cleveland already. Josh Naylor has some history with Gerrit Cole dating back to their last postseason meeting. The Bullpen for Cleveland is the best in baseball, with names like Gaddis, Smith, and Clase waiting for the back end of games. Tanner Bibbe has become a proven ace of this Guardians staff. The Guardians are riding momentum after beating the red-hot Tigers in 5 games.

There are some things to consider going into this series. One is whether Aaron Judge will get back to his MVP level. He has been struggling to get going in October, a running theme for him in recent years. He is a mere 2 for 13 this postseason with 5 Ks and 5 Walks. In contrast, New York got by Kansas City on the backs of the role players. For the Yankees to win the pennant, Judge needs to get right. Especially if the World Series is calling. 

Next is Cleveland’s bullpen in this series. Although, they have the best relief arms in the game. Steven Vogt may have to rely on some lesser-known arms in their bullpen early in this series. Especially since he turned to his relievers early in game five against Detroit, and players like Emmanuel Clase and Hunter Gaddis threw north of 25 pitches each just days before game 1.

Another thing to consider is who will step up for who in this Championship Series. Everyone can look at every LCS and see who stepped up for their club and became a difference-maker in a series. Someone like Brayan Rochio heated up in the latter half of the ALDS, and Stanton’s performance mentioned above was big for New York. Take your pick on either side because someone will present themselves as this series progresses.

There is much to consider between these two clubs. Historically, Cleveland holds a 2-4 record against lifetime against the Yankees as far back as 1997. New York has a better-starting rotation, but in contrast, Cleveland’s elite bullpen, albeit exhausted. The Evil Empire vs. Believeland, Yankees vs. Guardians; who’s going to the World Series? 

This series is so up in the air, given October’s unpredictability. But give me the underdog; I’m going with Cleveland in seven games. Despite the great pitching, I believe this ALCS will be an absolute slugfest. 

For a last-minute prediction, I have Steven Kwan as the ALCS MVP.

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