CLEVELAND — For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees are American League champions, advancing to the World Series after a dramatic 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday at Progressive Field.
Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto delivered key home runs to propel the Yankees past Cleveland. Stanton, continuing his outstanding postseason performance, tied the game with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, while Soto’s go-ahead, three-run blast in the 10th inning sealed the win and punched the Yankees’ ticket to the Fall Classic.
“I want a ring,” Stanton had said earlier this season, and his postseason efforts have brought the Yankees closer to that goal. He was named ALCS MVP, becoming the first Yankee to earn the honor since CC Sabathia in 2009. Stanton’s clutch homer off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee was his fifth of the postseason.
The Yankees took the lead for good when Soto connected on a fastball from Cleveland reliever Hunter Gaddis in the 10th inning, launching a three-run home run to right-center field. “I was all over it,” Soto said. “I just wanted to make good contact and I did.”
With the victory, the Yankees claimed their 41st American League pennant and now await the winner of the Dodgers-Mets NLCS. The World Series is set to begin on Friday.
“It sounds amazing,” Soto said. “We are the best team in the American League.”