The New York Yankees will face the Los Dodgers in the 2024 World Series after securing a Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in extra innings of Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday (October 19), and the Dodgers defeated the New York Mets on Sunday (October 21).
The birth marks the team’s first World Series appearance since 2009. The Yankees are the odds-on favorite against the Dodgers in the championship series.
The Yankees punched their ticket to the Fall Classic with an extra-inning triumph, driven by a game-tying home run from Giancarlo Stanton and a decisive three-run blast from Juan Soto in the 10th inning.
With this win, the Yankees secured their 41st World Series appearance, breaking a 15-year drought since their 27th championship. Soto, whose home run sealed the game, reflected on the moment with emotion, calling it “the best feeling you can ever have.”
“That’s why we play, why we grind every day since day one,” Soto said after the game. “We’re here, we accomplished it, and we have everything we need to go all the way.”
In the 10th, Austin Wells sparked the Yankees’ offense with a full-count walk against Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. A dropped catch by shortstop Brayan Rocchio on Alex Verdugo’s grounder gave the Yankees another chance, putting runners on first and second.
After Torres struck out, Juan Soto stepped to the plate. In a seven-pitch battle, Soto smashed a three-run home run, sending the Yankees to the World Series. As he rounded the bases, Soto celebrated, pounding his chest in triumph while his teammates erupted in the dugout.
“Just an at-bat for the ages,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Soto’s game-winning homer. “It’s who he is. He knows how to seize the moment.”
Soto’s home run marked the first extra-innings, postseason series-clinching shot since Boone’s.
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