The American League Championship Series shifts to Progressive Field on Thursday as the Cleveland Guardians host the New York Yankees for Game 3. With the Yankees holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, Cleveland will need to turn things around quickly to avoid falling into an insurmountable hole.
The Guardians have struggled in the first two games, but playing in front of their home crowd offers a chance for redemption. Meanwhile, the Yankees aim to maintain their momentum and move within one win of the World Series.
Yankees Look to Stay in Control
The Yankees have controlled the series so far, taking advantage of Cleveland’s miscues and struggles with runners in scoring position. New York’s pitching has been effective under pressure, particularly in Game 2, when they allowed eight hits and six walks but limited the Guardians to just a ninth-inning solo homer. The Yankees’ offense has been steady, scoring five runs in Game 1 and six in Game 2, giving them the upper hand.
Right-hander Clarke Schmidt will get the start for New York in Game 3. Schmidt pitched 4 2/3 innings in his ALDS appearance, allowing two runs on four hits against Kansas City. With the Yankees’ bullpen rested, Schmidt will look to keep Cleveland’s bats quiet and hand the game over to the relievers to protect any lead.
New York is listed as a slight favorite at -115, with the total for the game set at 7.0 runs.
Guardians Seek a Turnaround at Home
Cleveland has struggled offensively, going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position across the first two games. Despite generating baserunners, they’ve been unable to deliver timely hits. Playing at home could provide a spark, as the Guardians have matched the Yankees with a 52-31 home record this season.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd will take the mound for Cleveland. Boyd has been excellent in the postseason, pitching scoreless outings in both of his ALDS appearances against Detroit. Across 6 2/3 total innings, he allowed only five hits and struck out 10 batters. Boyd will need another strong performance to keep the Guardians competitive and extend the series.
The Guardians are listed as slight underdogs at -105, with a run line of +1.5 (-185). They’ll need both their pitching and bats to come together to have a chance against New York’s powerful lineup.
Prediction: Yankees Edge Guardians to Take 3-0 Series Lead
While the Guardians have the potential to bounce back at home, the Yankees’ pitching and timely hitting have given them the upper hand in this series. Schmidt’s steady presence on the mound, combined with New York’s deep bullpen, could make it difficult for Cleveland to get back in the series. Look for the Yankees to take a narrow win in Game 3 and cover the -1.5 run line.
We predict a final score of 3-1 in favor of the Yankees, with the game going under the 7.0 total as both pitchers perform well.
