American League Divisional Series Game Two Preview

The American League Divisional Series continues with Game 2 on Monday night. The Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees look to lock up their series against the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals, respectively.

First pitch times for ALDS Games 3-5 have been announced. pic.twitter.com/RpdZHqOlee

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) October 5, 2024

Game One Blowout

The Guardians got an easy 7-0 win in the first game of their series against the Tigers. In the offensive explosion, the team recorded seven hits. The Guardians came out hot to start the game, scoring five runs in the first inning.

Steven Kwan started the game with a leadoff double to left field to get Cleveland going. The Guardians scored their first run on an RBI double by third baseman José Ramírez to score Kwan. First baseman Josh Naylor knocked in another run on with a single to put the Guardians up 2-0.

Center fielder Lane Thomas then belted a three-run home run to increase Cleveland’s lead to five. Thomas’ homer tied an MLB postseason record with five runs scored before an out was recorded, set by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023.

Bad idea to be on the tracks when the Lane Train is coming through!#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/IZNBI7UBHZ

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 5, 2024

The Tigers managed to cool the Guardians’ hot bats until the bottom of the sixth inning when Cleveland’s designated hitter David Fry drilled a line drive up the third base line for a two-run double for the final margin.

Cleveland’s starting pitcher Tanner Bibee got the win with four strikeouts. The four relievers who followed did not allow a hit.

Close Call

With a different path to victory, the Yankees also got their first win of the series in Game 1 against the Royals, 6-5.  The Yankees managed to get two runners on base in the first. They couldn’t bring them home though as Royals pitcher Michael Wacha struck out Giancarlo Stanton for the third out of the inning.

The Yankees prevented K.C. from scoring in the top of the second when right fielder Juan Soto threw a dart to home plate to keep Salvador Perez from scoring. But New York couldn’t hold Kansas City for long as right fielder Tommy Pham hit a sacrifice fly to center field for the Royals’ first run of the game.

The Yankees battled back in the third when second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer to right field, giving the team a 2-1 lead.

Gleyber Torres finds the short porch for a go-ahead home run! pic.twitter.com/Lp1bJHXaS1

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 5, 2024

In the fourth, the Royals retook the lead on a MJ Melendez homerun which scored two. The team’s continued to go back and forth with the Yankees tying the game at three in the fifth and then taking the lead. Kansas City scored two on a single in the sixth to put itself up 5-4.

After getting another run to tie up the game again, New York York scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a single hit by left fielder Alex Verdugo.

Dawg Mentality. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/MPZ64uzMOM

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 6, 2024

Upcoming Lineups

After a poor performance in their last outing, the Tigers will hope to get more out of their pitchers tonight. Tarik Skubal is expected to start on the mound. He recorded 228 strikeouts earning a 2.39 ERA this season. The Guardians will hope to repeat their shutout with Matthew Boyd on the mound to start.

Offensively, Cleveland comes out with a similar look as game one. Only a few players are moving up and down in the lineup. Austin Hedges will replace Bo Naylor behind the plate defensively.

Both the Yankees and Royals are yet to announce their lineups for the games tonight, but their pitchers have been decided. The Royals with throw leftie Cole Ragans who had 223 strikeouts this year. New York will have Carlos Rodón on the mound who has a 3.96 ERA this year.

Detroit and Cleveland are set to play at 4:08 p.m., while first pitch for New York and Kansas City will be at 7:38 p.m.

All eyes on the road ahead. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/81uOncTOqq

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 5, 2024