Yankees Beat Guardians in ALCS Opener, Led by Rodon’s Dominant Pitching

The New York Yankees started their American League Championship Series (ALCS) campaign on a high note, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Monday night. The game turned out to be less challenging than expected, despite the Guardians' tough reputation. The Yankees didn't crush the Guardians, but they did come out ahead. Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon was crucial in this win. He kicked off the ALCS with a fantastic performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one run. He struck out nine batters, seven of them with his slider. His composure was a massive improvement from his previous performance against the Royals. The Yankees scored runs, but they weren't hitting well with runners in scoring positions. Their batting average in these situations was a measly 6-for-42 across all playoff games so far. However, solo home runs from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, along with seven walks, gave them a vital lead. Guardians reliever Joey Cantillo struggled with control. His wild pitches let the Yankees take advantage and score three runs. The Guardians finally scored in the sixth, thanks to Brayan Rocchio's home run. However, Rodon quickly regained control, and Stanton's seventh-inning home run put the Yankees further ahead. The Guardians managed to score another run in the eighth. The play involved an obstruction call against pitcher Tim Hill, allowing Steven Kwan to get on base. The Yankees kept their lead and won the game, taking a 1-0 series lead.