4 Biggest Yankees Storylines to Watch vs. Guardians in ALCS

The New York Yankees are just four wins away from the World Series for the first time since winning it all in 2009 when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.

They're now looking to win their 28th championship after defeating the Kansas City Royals in four games in the American League Divisional Series. First, they will have to eliminate the Cleveland Guardians, with whom the Yankees have a long history in the postseason.

The Yankees and Guardians have met in the postseason six times previously. The last time both franchises met was in 2022 in the ALDS with the Yankees winning in five games. The seven meetings are the second-most in the playoffs between the same two teams after the Yankees and Dodgers, who have met 11 times in the World Series. Another meeting between both clubs is still possible this October, with Los Angeles taking on the New York Mets in the NLCS.

This series will mark the sixth time since 2009 that the Yankees will play in the ALCS. While they have had plenty of success in the postseason, New York has yet to win this round and advance to the World Series. Let's look at four storylines to follow this series as the Yankees look to beat the Guardians to advance to the World Series for the first time in 15 years.

Will Aaron Judge start to heat up at the plate?

While baseball is a team sport, and the Yankees need to find a way to win at the plate and in the field, they need their best player to heat up and provide a spark on offense. Aaron Judge went 2-for-13 against the Royals in the ALDS. The Captain did not drive in a run and scored just twice. While the Yankees did not need to score much against a Kansas City offense that has not been good since the middle of September, New York needs to find a way to plate more runs against Cleveland, and it all starts with Judge.

While Judge has been the league's best hitter during the regular season, he has yet to break out and has the highest postseason strikeout rate. In 46 games, No. 99 is hitting .208, has 25 RBIs on 37 hits, and has 13 home runs. He has struck out five times this postseason. If Judge can make adjustments at the plate and start hitting at a pace similar to that of the regular season, it will help the Yankees' offense and take pressure off of Juan Soto.

Can Carlos Rodon bounce back from his ALDS Game 2 start?

While Carlos Rodon started Game 2 of the ALDS very well, finishing with seven strikeouts, he lasted just 3 and 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, including a home run, in the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Royals. On Sunday, Aaron Boone announced that the veteran left-hander would start Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday night. Rodon had a 16-9 win-loss record this year and finished with a 3.96 ERA, 195 strikeouts, and a 1.22 WHIP.

While Rodon didn't face the Guardians this year during the regular season, we can expect him to bounce back in Game 1. The Yankees have home-field advantage on Monday night and Rodon is 9-2 at home. The 31-year-old showed some signs of encouragement to start Game 2 of the ALDS, and the Guardians are not a high-scoring offense. If Rodon can get to Cleveland's offense early and give the Yankees four or five scoreless innings, that should set up the bullpen nicely on Monday.

Will Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres continue to exceed expectations?

Two of the Yankees' best hitters from the ALDS were veterans Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres. Both must stay hot at the plate to help the Yankees offensively against a talented Guardians pitching staff this series. While Stanton and Torres were not the most consistent hitters during the regular season, they were each clutch against the Royals. Stanton had six hits, three for extra bases, and four RBIs, including a go-ahead eighth-inning home run in Game 3.

Torres batted leadoff in all four games, drew five walks, scored four runs, and had three hits, including a third-inning two-run home run in Game 1 to give the Yankees the lead. There won't be any debate about Stanton and Torres in New York's lineup against the Guardians this series.

Can Luke Weaver continue to be lights out against the Guardians?

The Yankees' bullpen did not allow a run to the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, and a big reason is closer Luke Weaver, who has been lights out since he took over as the team's closer in early September. The 31-year-old is seven for seven in save chances since replacing Clay Holmes as closer and has struck out 29 of 55 batters. He pitched in all four games against Kansas City and has been lights out closing games. In 4.1 innings pitched, Weaver allowed two hits, zero runs, and had five strikeouts.

Weaver was a failed starting pitcher a few seasons ago with the Cincinnati Reds and has bounced around with a couple of teams before coming to New York last season, but he continues to impress for the Yankees. Not only has Weaver pitched exceptionally well since his promotion, but Holmes has given the Yankees great innings out of the bullpen this playoff run.

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake continues to do an outstanding job at developing pitchers, which is showing in the postseason. If Weaver continues to have the hot hand, the Yankees should take down the Guardians.

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