The New York Yankees will aim to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series when they face the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. Coming off a 5-2 victory in Game 1, the Yankees showcased their ability to capitalize on big moments with home runs from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton.
Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon also delivered a standout performance, striking out nine and allowing just one run over six innings. Now, the Yankees turn to ace Gerrit Cole, who looks to continue his postseason dominance against Cleveland, while the Guardians hope to bounce back behind rookie starter Tanner Bibee.
Yankees Seek to Build Momentum Behind Cole
The Yankees are looking to carry the momentum from their Game 1 win into Game 2, and they will be relying on their ace, Gerrit Cole, to give them another strong outing. Cole has been a postseason workhorse for New York, boasting a 5-2 record and a 3.38 ERA in nine playoff starts with the team. In the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, Cole showed why he’s one of the best pitchers in the game, delivering seven strong innings in Game 4 to help the Yankees clinch the series. His ability to limit runs and keep hitters off balance has been crucial, and his track record against Cleveland in the postseason is impeccable, with a 1.98 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.
Offensively, the Yankees will look to build on their Game 1 success, where they scored five runs on six hits and took advantage of several mistakes by Cleveland’s pitching staff. Juan Soto was a key factor in the win, hitting his first postseason home run as a Yankee and reaching base three times. Giancarlo Stanton also added a solo shot, continuing his hot streak in the playoffs. Stanton is now hitting .368 in this year’s postseason and has been a reliable source of power for the Yankees. With Soto and Stanton leading the charge, the Yankees will look to exploit Cleveland’s pitching and put early pressure on the Guardians’ defense.
Guardians Look to Bounce Back Behind Bibee
The Cleveland Guardians will be looking for a bounce-back performance after their Game 1 loss. While they struck out 14 times and struggled to get anything going offensively until the eighth inning, they remain confident in their ability to fight back.
Rookie starter Tanner Bibee will take the mound in Game 2, making his third career postseason start. The 25-year-old has been impressive during the playoffs, posting a 2.08 ERA in two no-decision outings in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers. While Bibee has limited experience against the Yankees, he did pitch well in a regular-season start at Yankee Stadium in May 2023, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He’ll need to find that form again if Cleveland hopes to even the series.
Cleveland’s offense will need to do more to support their rookie pitcher. Steven Kwan has been one of the few bright spots, extending his postseason hitting streak to 11 games after going 12-for-25 in this year’s playoffs. Kwan’s ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities will be crucial for the Guardians, but the rest of the lineup will need to step up to avoid falling behind 2-0 in the series.
Prediction: Yankees Primed to Take 2-0 Series Lead
With Gerrit Cole on the mound and the Yankees’ offense clicking, New York is in a strong position to take a 2-0 lead in the ALCS. Cole has been dominant against Cleveland in the past, and his experience in high-pressure situations could give the Yankees the edge they need. The Guardians will need a standout performance from Tanner Bibee and more offensive production to stay in the game, but the Yankees’ depth and power make them the favorites.
Our predicted final score is 4-2 in favor of the Yankees, and with the over/under line set at 7.5 runs, our projection of six total runs suggests that taking the under is the best play for this game.
