- What: MLB American League Championship Series Game
- When: October 18, 2024
- Who: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Time: 5:08 p.m. PST
- Where: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
The Cleveland Guardians host the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series Friday night at Progressive Field.
Game 3 between the Yankees and Guardians was dramatic. The Yankees were on the verge of taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the ALCS, but Guardians pinch-hitter Jhonkensy Noel’s heroics changed the course of the game.
The rookie hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to even the score at 5-5, and then first baseman David Fry followed it up with a two-run homer in the 10th inning, securing the Guardians’ victory with a final score of 7-5.
New York Yankees
New York’s starting pitcher for Game 4 is right-hander Luis Gil. This will be his debut in the 2024 MLB playoffs.
During the regular season, he posted a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA in 151.2 innings, allowing 104 hits, 59 earned runs, and 77 walks while striking out 171.
Gil has been in good form, winning three of his last four decisions, including an 11-2 victory at Seattle on Sept. 17. In that game, he pitched five innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, three walks, and striking out five.
Game 4 on deck. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/odX6uLXcXW
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 18, 2024
Aaron Judge has broken out of his slump with home runs in back-to-back games. In addition to Judge, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is a standout hitter for the New York Yankees.
In the recent game, he delivered a crucial tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning, setting the stage for the Yankees to potentially secure a 3-0 series lead before the Guardians made a comeback.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians will send Gavin Williams to the mound today. Like Luis Gil’s situation with the Yankees, Williams has not pitched in weeks. His last start was on Sept. 22.
Williams got a no-decision in his September 22 start against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched 5.2 innings, giving up four hits, one earned run, and two walks while striking out three.
One-track mind.#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/N0ub89qarl
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 18, 2024
This season, the Guardians have performed significantly better offensively at home, averaging almost 4.7 runs per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. On the road, they have scored an average of 4.05 runs per game.
The Guardians’ heroics in game 3 saved their season Thursday night in extra innings. However, their offense must play better if they want to tie the series.
Jose Ramirez has been a standout hitter for Cleveland throughout the year. In Thursday’s victory, he went 1-for-4, including a double and a walk. Additionally, he showcased his power by hitting a home run in the 6-3 loss during Game 2 of the series on Tuesday.
Ramirez has consistently performed well against the Yankees’ pitching, boasting a .330 batting average with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, and 33 RBIs in his 50 career games against them.
Yankees-Guardians Best Bet
The Guardians have all the momentum after that incredible walk-off win in extra-innings last night. That being said, the Yankees lineup is even more dangerous now that Aaron Judge is hitting again.
This game is difficult to parse due to the uncertainty surrounding both of these pitchers. Neither has pitched in the postseason, so there isn’t any data to draw any conclusions.
If I cannot gain anything from the pitching matchup, I have to lean on the offense of both teams, and that is an advantage for the Yankees.
Due to that advantage, I’m picking the Yankees. They’re favored, so the best bet is the Yankees’ moneyline at -120.
Can the Guardians avoid falling behind 3-0 in ALCS to Yankees?
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
