With one swing of the bat in the 10th inning, Juan Soto didn’t just hit a baseball; he sent a franchise’s 15-year drought into the history books. The New York Yankees’ 5-2 extra-inning victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the 2024 ALCS secured their 41st American League pennant. In a game defined by high-leverage pitching and explosive statistical outliers, the cleveland guardians vs yankees match player stats reveal how New York’s power hitters overcame Cleveland’s relentless “Guardball” small-ball tactics.
The Stakes: A Pennant or a Flight Back to the Bronx
The stakes could not have been higher at Progressive Field. For Cleveland, it was a “win or go home” scenario, attempting to force a Game 6 and keep their championship aspirations alive. For New York, it was about avoiding the unpredictability of a return trip to Yankee Stadium for a potentially deciding Game 6 or 7. The victory moved the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009, while the Guardians were left to reflect on a season where they out-toughed the league but couldn’t out-slug the Bronx Bombers.
Game Flow: From “Small Ball” to “Long Ball”
The early momentum belonged to Cleveland. Using their signature aggressive baserunning and contact hitting, the Guardians scratched out two runs off Carlos Rodón, fueled by RBI efforts from Bo Naylor and Steven Kwan. By the 5th inning, Progressive Field was rocking with a 2-0 lead.
The turning point arrived in the top of the 6th. Giancarlo Stanton, continuing his historic postseason tear, blasted a game-tying two-run homer that shifted the win probability by nearly 30%. The game then settled into a tense bullpen standoff. Cleveland had the winning run in scoring position in the 9th, but Luke Weaver escaped the jam. In the 10th, after a costly defensive error by Brayan Rocchio, Juan Soto faced Hunter Gaddis. After a grueling seven-pitch battle, Soto launched a three-run moonshot to center field, effectively ending the Guardians’ season.
Quick Game Facts
- Final Score: New York Yankees 5, Cleveland Guardians 2 (F/10)
- Date & Location: October 19, 2024 | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
- Weather: 62°F, Clear (Wind 8 mph out to Center)
- Attendance: 34,805
- Game Duration: 3 Hours, 36 Minutes
The Statistical Core
Top Performers Comparison
| Category | New York Yankees | Cleveland Guardians |
| Top Hitter (Hits) | Juan Soto (3-for-5) | Bo Naylor (2-for-4) |
| Top Slugger (RBI) | Juan Soto (3 RBI) | Steven Kwan (1 RBI) |
| Starting Pitcher | Carlos Rodón (4.2 IP, 6 K) | Tanner Bibee (5.2 IP, 5 K) |
| Winning/Losing P | Luke Weaver (W, 1-0) | Hunter Gaddis (L, 1-1) |
Team Efficiency Table
| Statistic | New York Yankees | Cleveland Guardians |
| Hits | 9 | 7 |
| Runs | 5 | 2 |
| HR / Extra Base Hits | 2 / 3 | 0 / 2 |
| RISP Efficiency | 2-for-6 (33%) | 1-for-6 (16%) |
| Errors | 0 | 1 |
| Left On Base | 4 | 8 |
The Pitching Masterclass
In a baseball deep dive, the “Quarterbacks” of the diamond are the starting pitchers and high-leverage relievers. The cleveland guardians vs yankees match player stats show a fascinating contrast in mound management.
Carlos Rodón: The High-Wire Act
Rodón brought the heat early, featuring a fastball that touched 98 mph. However, his tactical struggle against the bottom of the Cleveland order (specifically Bo Naylor) forced Aaron Boone to go to the bullpen earlier than expected. Rodón’s 85 pitches were high-stress, but he limited the damage to just two runs, keeping New York within striking distance.
Tanner Bibee: Short-Rest Resilience
Bibee was the hero Cleveland needed. Pitching on short rest, he baffled the Yankees’ stars for five innings. He successfully neutralized Aaron Judge, but the second time through the heart of the order proved fatal. His “Air Yards” on the Stanton home run—a hanging slider—was the only major mistake in an otherwise brilliant outing.
Pitching Stat Table
| Player | IP | H | R/ER | BB | K | HR Allowed |
| Carlos Rodón | 4.2 | 5 | 2/2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Tanner Bibee | 5.2 | 6 | 2/2 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Luke Weaver | 2.0 | 1 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Hunter Gaddis | 1.0 | 1 | 3/0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Positional Deep Dives
The Ground War (The Infield/Baserunning)
While the Yankees relied on the long ball, Cleveland’s success came from the dirt. Andrés Giménez and Steven Kwan’s ability to turn routine grounders into pressure situations was evident. However, the Cleveland offensive line (the middle infield) faltered at the most critical moment when Brayan Rocchio’s error in the 10th set the stage for Soto.
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
| Steven Kwan (CLE) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .381 |
| Andrés Giménez (CLE) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .216 |
| Gleyber Torres (NYY) | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .297 |
The Aerial Attack (Power Hitting)
The cleveland guardians vs yankees match player stats for power hitting were entirely one-sided. Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto accounted for all five New York runs via the home run. Stanton’s 446-foot blast was the hardest-hit ball of the game, while Soto’s 10th-inning homer had a 100% home run probability in all 30 MLB parks.
| Player | Targets (PA) | Hits | HR | RBI | OPS (Series) |
| Juan Soto (NYY) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1.106 |
| Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.179 |
| Bo Naylor (CLE) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .455 |
The Defensive Wall
Defensive Player of the Game: Luke Weaver (NYY).
Weaver entered a tied game in the 9th inning with the season on the line. His ability to locate his changeup under extreme pressure prevented Cleveland from walking off. On the flip side, the Cleveland “wall” cracked when Rocchio failed to secure a potential double-play ball in the 10th.
Advanced Metrics & “The Why”
The cleveland guardians vs yankees match player stats reveal that New York’s Expected Points Added (EPA) from home runs outweighed Cleveland’s volume of base hits. The Yankees’ “Win Probability” took a massive hit early (dropping to 22% in the 5th), but Stanton’s HR swung it back to 51%.
Next-Gen Insight: Juan Soto’s home run came on a 95-mph fastball. Throughout the series, Soto had a .600 slugging percentage against pitches over 95 mph, making Cleveland’s choice to challenge him with heat a schematic failure.
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The Verdict
The 2024 ALCS ended with a reminder that in the postseason, power usually trumps contact. The cleveland guardians vs yankees match player stats illustrate a Cleveland team that was fundamentally sound but lacked the “knockout punch” required to beat a team of New York’s caliber. For the Yankees, this win validates the mid-season trades and the high-value contracts of Stanton and Soto. They move to the World Series with a bullpen that looks dominant and a heart of the order that can end a game in a single breath.
FAQ Section
Who won the Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees match?
The New York Yankees won 5-2 in 10 innings.
What was the turning point of the game?
The turning point was Giancarlo Stanton’s two-run, game-tying home run in the 6th inning, followed by Brayan Rocchio’s error in the 10th.
How many yards (feet) did Juan Soto’s home run travel?
Juan Soto’s game-winning home run traveled 402 feet to center field.
