The New York Yankees are going to the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 5 to 2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday.
It’s a return to baseball’s greatest stage for the Yankees, who haven’t performed within the World Series since successful it in 2009. While the 15-year drought doesn’t appear very lengthy, it tied the franchise’s file for the biggest hole between pennants.
This staff was propelled to the Fall Classic by well timed hitting by the highest of its lineup, significantly designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, and an almost excellent bullpen apart from a collapse in Game 3 towards the Guardians.
The Yankees trailed the Guardians 0-2 till Stanton hit a two-run residence run within the prime of the sixth, tying the sport and sending it to additional innings.
In the highest of the tenth, Juan Soto sealed the deal for the Yankees, smashing a three-run residence run with two outs on the board.
The Guardians could not reply.
More Sports from NBC News
After the win, Soto mentioned his staff “did a extremely good job right here.”
“We had been grinding. We had been working laborious. Now we’re the perfect staff within the American League,” He mentioned.
Soto known as the Yankees “the perfect within the sport” and mentioned the prospect to convey your staff to the World Series is “the perfect feeling.”
“We have all of the expertise we have to go all the best way,” Soto mentioned, including “we’re actually sticking collectively.”
“We’re pushing one another. … We’re feeling actually good,” he mentioned. “We have a World Series to win.”
While the Yankees have been absent from the World Series, they’ve been within the playoffs in practically each season and have reached 5 championship collection (2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2022).
The Yankees’ three most up-to-date losses within the championship collection had been by the hands of the Houston Astros, who’ve been probably the most dominant staff within the American League for practically a decade.
General Manager Brian Cashman mentioned “any probability you get an opportunity to play within the World Series its superior,” including “we’re proper the place we belong.”
He mentioned he was “was thanking God” when Soto scored within the prime of the tenth.
Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone congratulated the Guardians for placing up a troublesome battle within the ALCS however mentioned the Yankees had been “slightly extra grittier ultimately.”
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge mentioned the staff has “one thing particular.”
“That’s what it is all about. That’s what you grind all season for,” Judge mentioned. “For moments like this.”