If the saying is true that the series doesn't start until the home team loses the game, then the Cleveland Guardians are still waiting for the American League Championship Series to start.
The New York Yankees defeated the Guardians 6-3 in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday night, moving them two wins away from winning their first pennant since 2009.
What was supposed to be a pitcher's battle was never a single game. Gerrit Cole, the current American League Cy Young Award winner, recorded just one out in five innings, and Tanner Bibby fell into the lineup after just two innings.
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After hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium in New York City on October 15, 2024. , No. 99 Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees rotates around the bases. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
New York jumped out to an early 3-0 lead when Aaron Judge's high-flying pop-up was dropped, leading to the first score of the game. Alex Verdugo had an RBI double in the second inning, and Judge hit a sac fly with the bases loaded (reliever Cade Smith was the first batter to bat after Cleveland gave an intentional walk).
However, the Guardians jumped on the call in the fifth inning, loaded the bases, and scored one run on a sac fly and a fielder's choice, making the game 3-2.
The Yankees had a big chance in the sixth inning, but Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Rizzo both walked and were put out. Instead, only one point was scored after Rizzo doubled and Volpe scored on an error.
However, Judge hit a two-run homer to center field in the seventh inning, giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, 99, hits a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 2 of the 2024 MLB Playoffs ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Calchietta-Iman Images)
Judge is batting .204 in his past 49 postseason games entering Tuesday, and in October alone was 2-for-17 (.118 batting average) with a .333 on-base percentage. His long-term resume in October isn't great yet, but he certainly needed something.
The Yankees' four relief pitchers allowed just one run over 4.2 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, with three strikeouts. Jose Ramirez's solo home run off Luke Weaver in the ninth inning was the first unearned run the Yankees bullpen allowed this October.
The series moves to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday at 5:08 p.m. ET. The Yankees' starting pitcher is Clark Schmidt, but Cleveland's starting pitcher has not yet been determined.
New York celebrates with Austin Wells #28 after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2024 in New York. -Yankees Aaron Judge #99. York City. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
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Cleveland must win two of three games at home to take the series back to the Bronx and four of the final five games to advance to the World Series.
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