Yankees vs. Guardians: The Battle for the ALCS Continues in Game 3

The American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians has reached a pivotal moment with Game 3 set to take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Yankees hold a 2-0 advantage over the Guardians, but the home team is determined to turn the series around and send it back to New York for a deciding Game 4.

The Series So Far

In the first two games of the series, the Yankees have showcased their powerful offense. In Game 1, Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto both launched home runs, contributing to a 5-2 victory. Aaron Judge added to the scoring in Game 2, hitting a homer in New York's 6-3 triumph. The Yankees are aiming to return to the World Series for the first time since 2009 and are now just two wins away from claiming their 41st AL pennant in the 2024 ALCS.

The Guardians, on the other hand, have struggled to keep up with the Yankees' offense. Despite their impressive home record of 50-30 during the regular season, they have found it challenging to mount a significant challenge against Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, the Yankees' starting pitchers in Games 1 and 2, respectively.

Game 3 Lineups and Pitching Matchup

For Game 3, the Yankees will feature Clarke Schmidt as their starting pitcher. Schmidt has been impressive in his postseason appearances, tossing 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball in a no-decision during Game 3 of the ALDS at Kansas City. He also picked up a win against Cleveland on April 13 of this season, allowing two runs (one earned) over five innings.

The Guardians will counter with Matthew Boyd, who has yet to concede a run in his two postseason appearances. Boyd has made six career starts against the Yankees, owning a 5.17 ERA with seven homers, 16 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings. In the winner-take-all Game 5 start against the Tigers in the ALDS, Boyd allowed just one hit in two frames.

The starting lineups for both teams are as follows: The Yankees will feature Gleyber Torres at second base, Juan Soto in right field, Aaron Judge in center field, Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter, Jazz Chisholm at third base, Jon Berti at first base, Anthony Volpe at shortstop, and Austin Wells at catcher. The Guardians' lineup includes Steven Kwan in left field, Kyle Manzardo as the designated hitter, Jos Ramrez at third base, Josh Naylor at first base, Lane Thomas in center field, Will Brennan in right field, Andrs Gimnez at second base, Bo Naylor behind the plate, and Brayan Rocchio at shortstop.

Bullpen Strategies

Both teams have been relying heavily on their bullpens throughout the postseason. The Yankees' bullpen has been particularly impressive, with Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver each appearing in the club's first six postseason games. However, manager Aaron Boone might consider easing off on Holmes and Weaver due to their heavy workload, especially with Game 4 and potentially Game 5 looming.

The Guardians' bullpen has also been crucial to their success. After running seven relievers to the mound in Game 2 following Tanner Bibee's quick exit, the team is counting on Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis, and Emmanuel Clase to provide the necessary relief. If these four can maintain their dominance, the chances of New York scoring in the late innings decrease significantly.

Injuries and Health Concerns

The Yankees have been dealing with some health concerns. Left-hander Nestor Cortes is expected to face hitters later this week, which would make him a consideration for a potential World Series roster. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is also trying to be an option, having moved better lately according to manager Aaron Boone.

The Guardians have also had their share of injuries. Game 1 starter Alex Cobb was diagnosed with a lower back strain, prompting his removal from the ALCS roster. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman strained his oblique during a workout this week and was left off of the ALCS roster.

Home Field Advantage

The Guardians are looking to capitalize on their home field advantage. Cleveland boasts an impressive 50-30 record at home during the regular season, the best in the American League. Additionally, the Guardians secured two victories out of three games played at Progressive Field in the AL Division Series against the Tigers.

Manager Stephen Vogt emphasized the importance of playing smart baseball, focusing on running, bunting, and putting the ball in play. 'We have to play baseball,' Vogt said. 'We're a baseball team. We need to make things happen. Running, bunting, putting the ball in play. We run the bases hard. We don't assume anything's over. That's how we've gotten here. We've gotten here by putting pressure on the other team, and that's who we are.'

The first pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. ET and can be seen on TBS, truTV, Max, and Fubo. All games are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider required. Live games are also available in select countries outside the U.S.

Conclusion

As the series shifts to Cleveland, both teams are ready for a fierce battle. The Yankees aim to maintain their momentum and secure their spot in the World Series, while the Guardians seek to turn the tide and send the series back to New York. The stage is set for an exciting Game 3, with both teams prepared to give it their all.

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