Guardians pull away with a five-run eighth to beat Detroit 6-1 and even the AL Wild Card series. Detroit’s offense collapses with a franchise postseason-record 15 left on base, going 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, while Javier Báez provides the Tigers’ lone hit in the fourth. Brayan Rocchio belts a go-ahead homer in the eighth as Steven Kwan and Daniel Schneemann add back-to-back doubles and Bo Naylor caps it with a three-run shot. A video-replay two-base play on McKinstry causes a late delay, and Greene watches a pinch-hit move for Jahmai Jones.

Detroit’s pitchers Casey Mize, Tyler Holton and Kyle Finnegan shut Cleveland down for seven innings before the eighth, but Troy Melton and Brant Hurter faltered in relief. The Tigers’ aggressiveness on the bases keeps the game tight early, but Cleveland's bullpen locks it down late. Hinch’s decision to pinch-hit for Riley Greene in the seventh becomes a talking point as the Guardians seize control and shift momentum into the decisive Game 3.

Stephen Vogt has been named the American League Manager of the Year after leading the Cleveland Guardians to a remarkable turnaround in 2024. With 27 of 30 first-place votes, he outperformed fellow finalists Matt Quatraro and A.J. Hinch.

Vogt's leadership resulted in a 16-win improvement, guiding the Guardians to the ALCS, despite facing challenges after the retirement of longtime manager Terry Francona. The team showcased a strong bullpen and an underrated lineup, marking a significant step forward for Cleveland.

The New York Yankees have secured their place in the World Series after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to clinch the National League pennant against the New York Mets, utilizing a bullpen game strategy due to injuries among their starting pitchers.

This postseason has seen relievers throwing more innings than starters, a trend that reflects a shift in pitching strategies. The Dodgers will employ their third bullpen game of the playoffs, relying on a mix of relievers to navigate through the game.

Interestingly, while the focus is on the Dodgers, other teams like the Guardians and Mets have also leaned heavily on their bullpens, indicating a broader trend in modern baseball.

The ALCS Game 3 was a rollercoaster, with the Cleveland Guardians initially holding a lead against the New York Yankees. Matthew Boyd and rookie Kyle Manzardo shined for Cleveland, but chaos ensued in the eighth inning.

After a game-tying homer by Aaron Judge and a go-ahead shot from Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees took control. However, Jhonkensy Noel's pinch-hit homer sent the game into extra innings, where David Fry delivered a walk-off home run, sealing a thrilling 7-5 victory for the Guardians.

The American League Championship Series continues with Game 2 between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, following the Yankees' 5-2 victory in Game 1.

For the Guardians, the key question is whether they can secure an early lead to leverage their strong bullpen. They’ve struggled to score early in games this postseason, which puts pressure on their pitchers.

The Yankees, despite their winning record, face concerns about their hitting performance, particularly from star players Aaron Judge and Austin Wells. They need to convert scoring opportunities into runs to maintain their momentum.