NEW YORK — Andrés Giménez is primed for the energetic challenge that awaits at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s all about mindset,” explained the Cleveland second baseman via a translator before the AL Championship Series opening game. “We carry this belief that we can achieve it because we know we can play the game properly.”
In their first ALCS appearance since 2016, Cleveland is set to send Alex Cobb to the mound against the Yankees’ Carlos Rodón in this best-of-seven showdown for a chance at the World Series, where they could meet either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Mets.
Cleveland is looking to capture its seventh American League pennant and the first since 2016, aiming for their third World Series title after previous victories in 1920 and 1948. Meanwhile, the Yankees are striving for their 41st pennant and 28th championship, a history so rich that any season without a title is seen as a significant disappointment.
“Winning is what differentiates the Yankees,” stated New York shortstop Anthony Volpe, reflecting on his childhood fandom while growing up in Manhattan and New Jersey. “Watching from the field gives you a vastly different perspective than being just a spectator. There were times when it felt as if the upper deck would crumble under the excitement.”
The AL Central champion Guardians triumphed over Detroit in a five-game Division Series, while the AL East-winning Yankees overcame Kansas City with a 3-1 series win. Despite the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers topping the league in payroll with expenditures exceeding $266 million, Cleveland’s budget sits at 23rd, totaling $109 million.
“We possess confidence in our identity,” noted Stephen Vogt, the Guardians’ rookie manager. “What we can control is solely ourselves.”
The players experienced a crisp atmosphere during Sunday’s practice, with some opting for ski caps.
“I believe Yankee Stadium will be alive and electric tomorrow night,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “The cooler weather rolling in for these first two matches will give it that true October vibe.”
Historical tensions have marred Cleveland’s previous encounters with Yankees fans. Following an intense game in April 2022, Cleveland’s outfielders were hit with bottles and debris as Yankee supporters celebrated a thrilling 5-4 victory. Myles Straw of Cleveland had labeled the Yankees’ fanbase as the “worst in the world.”
Additionally, Josh Naylor stirred controversy two years ago when he celebrated a home run against Gerrit Cole in Game 4 of a Division Series that ultimately favored the Yankees.
“The backlash from last time was pretty lively, so I expect this to be similar,” Vogt remarked.
José Ramírez of Cleveland deserves broader recognition, according to Boone.
“He’s an all-around talent,” the Yankees’ manager expressed. “Every time I hear someone mention how he’s overlooked or underestimated, it’s infuriating. He’s not underrated; he’s exceptional—on a path to being a Hall of Famer.”
Although Ramírez had a subdued ALDS, posting 3-for-16 with three RBIs, Vogt reaffirmed his elite status.
“He consistently ranks among the top players in the league,” Vogt asserted. “His talent is widely acknowledged and talked about in baseball.”
Cobb has only pitched 19 1/3 innings in the major leagues this season. The 37-year-old righty, an All-Star in 2023, underwent hip surgery on October 31 and had not returned to the mound before being acquired from San Francisco at the trade deadline on July 30.
After making his season debut on August 9, a torn nail on his right index finger sidelined him following two outings. He bounced back without allowing an earned run over six innings in September and subsequently faced additional setbacks that truncated his regular season.
“I aimed to have a typical season following my hip surgery, but encountered a series of challenges,” he explained. “While this season hasn’t unfolded as anticipated, being here in the ALCS and having a chance to establish an early advantage is something I’ll cherish deeply.”
During his time with the Guardians, Cobb posted a 2-1 record with a 2.76 ERA over three games and 16 1/3 innings, allowing two runs across three innings in Game 3 against Detroit.
“I’ve focused on maintaining mental sharpness and refining my form during lengthy breaks,” he said. “Even though it was merely three innings in the Division Series, it significantly aided my gear shifting back into high-stakes gameplay and experiencing the postseason rush.”
Historically, Juan Soto boasts a remarkable batting average of 7 for 11 against Cobb, including four home runs.
Cleveland’s bullpen recorded 25 2/3 innings out of a total of 44 innings in the Division Series, maintaining a 3.16 ERA, a rise from their major league-leading regular season ERA of 2.57.
“Relying on our bullpen has been pivotal throughout the year, but with a traditional seven-game series over nine days, we must adjust our approach,” Vogt noted. “Thanks to the off days during the Division Series, we were enabled to exhaust our bullpen resources more thoroughly than usual.”