From Bryan Hoch:
Juan Soto nodded with confidence as he glared toward the mound, deep into a high-stakes battle with nothing less than a pennant on the line. He’d already spoiled two changeups and a slider in this extra-innings showdown, his swagger surging with each close call.
This was the at-bat he’d been waiting for all season.
With his next swing, Soto sent his team toward the World Series, blasting a go-ahead three-run homer in the 10th that helped secure the Yankees’ 5-2 victory over the Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday evening at Progressive Field.
“We’re going to win; we’re going to the World Series,” Soto said. “That’s what was going through my head.”
Well, THAT was fun.
Even after it being over, it’s remarkable to see the Yankees win a series that involved THAT many clutch hits. There were so many memorable moments in the three games in Cleveland that I barely remember what happened in Games 1-2 (then I refreshed my memory “Oh, yeah, the wild pitch game”). The Yankees also scored at least five runs in EVERY GAME of the series, which is remarkable when you recall how bad so many of the Yankee hitters were in the series.
Rizzo better be batting fifth in the World Series. I figure the following is the best we can hope for:
Gleyber
Soto
Judge
Stanton
Rizzo
Volpe
Jazz
Wells
Verdugo
Yes, that would mean three lefties in a row at the bottom of the lineup, which is why it’s more likely that it would be…
Gleyber
Soto
Judge
Stanton
Rizzo
Jazz
Volpe
Wells
Verdugo
but whatever, does three lefties in a row really even fucking matter? The Dodgers have ONE lefty in their bullpen, and I don’t even know if the Mets HAVE a lefty in their pen (they DO have three lefty starters, though, which is why the Yankees might actually prefer to face the Dodgers, despite the Dodgers being, you know, REALLY FUCKING GOOD).
Playoff Stanton was amazing, but Juan Soto was also astonishing. Three home runs and eight ribbies in five games, and he’s not even the MVP! Outstanding.
Well, now we can sort of chill until Friday, follow Nestor Cortes’ recovery (I assume there’s no way they’d let him start if he makes the roster, right? I figure he’d just take Stroman’s roster spot, and piggyback either Gil or Schmidt), and hope the NLCS goes seven.
Congratulations to the American League champions!
That entire series was truly unexpected. The Yanks have more top talent but a boob of a manager that I thought would cost them big time. Who knew that Hill et al would be that good.
The other manager was an even bigger boob and their fielding was atrocious which helped big time.
But beating the “best bullpen in the game” numerous times was was truly spectacular.
The Yankees really showed all of their weaknesses but won anyway. They remain pretty much entirely reliant on the top half of their lineup, even with Volpe hitting well, but it’s a really, really dangerous 1-5.
The pitching is a little uneven, but they mostly bent vs breaking. An effective and sometimes dominant Rodon is such a difference maker. Nestor being available for the WS would be huge.
I strongly object to the notion that the other manager was worse. He wasn’t nearly as ridiculously bad. He just had a mixed series – some really good moves and a few perplexing ones. Nowhere NEAR the unrelentingly consistent work to destroy the Yankees that Boone brings tirelessly to each and every game.
Agree, especially when you take lineup construction into account. Vogt was not good, but Boone was worse.
LAD over NYY: +110
NYY over LAD +150
NYY over NYM: +700
NYM over NYY: +1100
Interesting debate that can be solved mathematically? I’d suggest pitching to Stanton with two outs and first base open was so monumentally bad that maybe it outweighs batting Wells cleanup. Though once you throw in Jazz as cleanup maybe that combination of three games of stupidity adds up to more lost WPA than that one at bat?
Bottom line is Cleveland lost due to their vaunted bullpen blowing it, again and again. So I guess it’s hard to blame their manager relying on the tools that got him to the ALCS suddenly being so bad.
Boone has no excuses for his stupidity.
But he DIDN’T pitch to Stanton.
The catcher’s glove was well outside the zone. The pitcher simply missed the spot – the pitch came in low and outside, but well within the strike zone.
So the manager’s call was NOT to pitch to Stanton, and we agree with him.
The Yankee starters might need to go longer. I’m not sure I see our pen handling the Dodgers or even The Mets Lindor, Alonzo and Viento with the ease they they handled Cleveland.
What’s worse is that the Dodgers’ and Mets’ bullpen pitchers aren’t as good as Cleveland’s… so the Yankees won’t be able to hit them as well.
The Dodgers pen is very good, so there’s hope. Their starters except Yamamoto aren’t very good.
Had Boone left Bibee in to face Stanton and lose the lead you all would have lost your minds beyond anything I can imagine.
Here’s something fun: obviously Stanton has been great this postseason, but did you know he’s running only an 18 K% along with a 12.8 BB%?
Yup. The comments on this site was “walk him”. Instead he chose to play around. Bad move. Glad it didn’t happen to us in a win or go home game. Then again there’s always next week
Correct. And he [Vogt] did it more than one time in the series. We found the guy worse than Boone.
Woke up this Mickmas Morn to a glorious pennant left by Jolly Ol’ Saint Mick. It’s a Mickmas Miracle !
Thread violation just to observe, regarding Centaur’s and Flaming Swords, that some guy plowing a field with a stick in some equatorial backwater is doing so wearing my old NY 13 shirt with “Centaur” on the back, and has no idea why. I’m pretty sure said shirt was at Nerdfest Part Un before my now-soon-to-be-exwife took it to Goodwill behind my back. It might have been another visit to the stadium, but it definitely roamed the hallowed halls at some point.
great win
Volpe 2009 parade
https://x.com/daniwex/status/1848055188847989188?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
I loved the top response, which is “And now he might get another parade for that same team!” Wow, buddy, cogent analysis!
He looks almost the same size now. 😀
That’s because now he’s standing between Judge and Stanton.
Best comment, no phones out.
Based on how he played most of the season he’d have about as much to do with the team having a 2024 parade as the 2009 parade.
Game 6 and Dodgers are going with a bullpen game. Do they have a lot of injured starters? Also Freeman is not playing, so tonight is a lock for The Mets. It’s all on Yamamoto for games7. The Subway series starts Friday.
Cameron Maybin with some Soto/Yankee love
https://x.com/cameronmaybin/status/1847995221948211352?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
Manaea came up small.
Was really hoping for a G7.
Ohtani with a booming double.
Does Treinen go two?
Murdoch is very happy.
Series prices at Circa Sports:
LAD -125 (53.4%)
NYY +105
Circa De Soleil has a sports app?
Bye, Mets.
boo dodgers
And so it is written, ‘The Season of Post Season Gloom Part III’ begins.
Liberty wins. The two New Jersey football teams struggling.
Why would two NJ football teams struggling increase or decrease our freedom?
Soto and Judge vs Betts and Ohtani, kind of cool.
My favorite pairings are Rizzo vs Freeman, aka the battle of the grizzled veteran 1Bs playing through injury; and Cole vs Yamamoto, aka the battle of the $324M and $325M starters.
Rizzo vs Freeman is not much of a contest
Because Rizzo will actually play?
Sarah Langs
SHOHEI
JUDGE
THE FIRST WORLD SERIES BETWEEN 50+ HR HITTERS FROM THAT REGULAR SEASON
I suppose 1961 doesn’t count as “between” because Mantle and Maris were teammates, and also because neither one figured prominently in the WS. Mantle had a single in 6 ABs, and Maris was 2-for-19 with a HR.
I think it’s more the teammates part. Also Mantle was hurt late season. Wasn’t that the B12 shot that he developed an access?
How many games will the Yankees win? The Dodgers disposed of the Mets, didn’t they? We disposed of …. Checks current name for accuracy… the Guardians. Who ever heard of the Guardians anyway, and besides, they’re from Cleveland, not Queens.
• Are you kidding? None. 20%
• Meh, they’ll win 1. 20%
• If they’re really lucky, 2. 20%
• If they’re really, really lucky, 3, tops. 20%
• Four? No way, Shohei.
• Boone the 2025 manager? 100%
LAD 4-2: +400
LAD 4-3: +450
NYY 4-3: +470
NYY 4-2: +600
LAD 4-1: +600
NYY 4-1: +650
LAD 4-0: +1200
NYY 4-0: +1500
So at least according to the market, only about an 8% chance of the Yankees winning none.
The Boone thing … sadly accurate.
I think their best shot is to adhere to a strict “Always IBB Shohei and Mookie” policy. If you get beat by Max Muncy and NLCS MVP Tommy Edman … fine, whatever.
I hope Rodon keeps being a robot, I hope Stanton’s heater continues, I hope Judge goes on a tear, and I hope Rizzo can keep all of his parts together and from falling off.
Exciting times for a Yankee fan. Been awhile. 15 years since the last Serious for NY and half the country is like, aw shit, not them again. Meanwhile the Dodgers have been there now 4 of the last 8.
The amount of “THESE two again? The big-money clubs are ruining baseball” takes that everyone dusted off from 1997 is remarkable. Like the Texas Rangers didn’t defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks for the championship 12 months ago.
Stark had a nice article on the Athletic debunking that myth.
Or that the Giants won three since the last time the Yankees made the show. Or as if the Mets didn’t set the world record for salary at one point a year or two ago.
No way, Shohei.