Yankees Take Commanding ALCS Lead with Gritty 6-2 Win Over Guardians

The New York Yankees, known for battling through tough postseason challenges, once again found a way to prevail, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 to secure a crucial 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Aaron Judge finally delivered his first home run of the playoffs, while Anthony Rizzo’s gritty performance helped seal the victory.

The Yankees set the tone early, with Gleyber Torres continuing his playoff brilliance from the leadoff spot. Torres opened the game with a double off Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee, setting up a scoring opportunity. Juan Soto followed with a single, and though Judge initially appeared to falter with a towering pop-up, a costly error by Cleveland’s Brayan Rocchio allowed Torres to score, giving New York an early lead.

The Guardians fought back, trimming the Yankees’ 3-0 lead to 3-2 after chasing Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning. Despite constant pressure from Cleveland, the Yankees escaped further damage, partly thanks to some critical defensive plays and the Guardians’ base-running mistakes. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s ill-advised dash off second base resulted in a costly pickoff that halted Cleveland’s momentum.

As tension mounted, Rizzo stepped up in the sixth inning. Coming back from a finger injury that had sidelined him just 16 days earlier, the veteran first baseman lined a shot off Cleveland lefty Erik Sabrowski, leading to a crucial run. Anthony Volpe scored on the play after an error by Guardians right fielder Will Brennan, restoring the Yankees’ lead to 4-2 and calming the nervous crowd at Yankee Stadium.

“This is what you play for,” Rizzo said after the game. “The clock is ticking on my career, and you never know when you’ll get another chance to play for a pennant. I’m just trying to make the most of every moment.”

The game’s defining moment came in the seventh inning when Judge, quiet throughout the playoffs, launched a decisive home run over the right-center field wall, giving the Yankees a comfortable 6-2 lead. The blast provided insurance runs and returned the swagger missing from the Yankees’ lineup.

With this win, the Yankees head to Cleveland in complete control of the series. They need two more victories to advance to their first World Series in 15 years. The Guardians, meanwhile, face the daunting task of winning four of the next five games to stay alive—something that seems unlikely given the Yankees’ dominance over AL Central teams.

“This is what we train for,” Rizzo said. “It’s more stressful to sit on the bench than to play. When you’re on the field, you can focus, but when you’re watching, it’s tough to keep those emotions in check.”

Rizzo’s double marked his 18th extra-base hit in postseason play, a testament to his determination to make every moment count as he approaches the twilight of his career. With the Yankees firing on all cylinders, they appear poised to reclaim their place on baseball’s biggest stage.