The Cleveland Guardians are gearing up to face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series after a thrilling victory over the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians secured a 7-3 win in Game 5 of their AL Division Series, with Lane Thomas hitting a grand slam off Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal.
Despite not being expected to contend this season, the Guardians have defied expectations and emerged as an October surprise. They will now face the star-studded Yankees in a matchup that promises to be exciting, with Game 1 set to take place in the Bronx on Monday.
The Guardians, with a payroll of $109 million, represent the underdogs against big-spending teams like the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers. Led by first-year manager Stephen Vogt, the team has relied on timely hitting and a shutdown bullpen throughout the season.
Against Skubal, who had not given up a run in 28 consecutive innings, the Guardians showed their resilience by scoring five runs in the fifth inning. Thomas’ grand slam was the highlight of the game, solidifying his role as a key player for the team.
The victory marks the Guardians’ first ALCS visit since 2016, and they are determined to bring a World Series title back to Cleveland. With a scrappy playing style and a never-say-die attitude, the Guardians are ready to take on the challenge posed by the Yankees and continue their surprising postseason run.
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