Game 2 – NYY Leads 1-0
The Yankees opened the series with a convincing win in the Bronx last night, outscoring the Guardians 5-2 thanks to homers from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton.
As I wrote yesterday, scoring runs has come at a premium for the Guardians since the start of the Division Series, and it was hardly encouraging to watch them leave five runners on base whilst finishing 1-for-4 with men in scoring position.
Cleveland will turn to ace Tanner Bibee for Game 2, a reliable right-hander who mixes a 94MPH fastball with a slider that he uses close to 26% of the time.
Guards fans know what they are getting from Bibee (he allowed only two earned runs across 8.2 combined innings against Detroit), but it feels as though Jose Ramirez will need to carry the team offensively with the Yankees holding a serious edge in terms of power.
Trends-wise, Cleveland posted a winning record off the back of a previous loss during the regular season, but with Gerrit Cole locking down the Royals for just one earned run last week, this is a tough ask for the Guards on both sides of the rubber.
- Tip: Back the Yankees to Win & Over 5.5 Runs @ $2.20
Player Pick
Ramirez 0-4 last night, but it’s worth noting he bounced back to hit a home run on more than four occasions when posting the same line during the regular season.
Better yet, Ramirez has somewhat owned Gerrit Cole, taking him deep twice and recording a triple and three doubles in 42 plate appearances.
Anthony Rizzo is the other name I’d be keen to back here.
He was lucky to make the Yankees’ ALCS roster after sitting on the sideline through injury, be he made an immediate impact last night, driving in a run and nearly hitting one over the center field fence on what turned out to be a long fly ball.
- Tip: Jose Ramirez to Hit a Home Run @ $4.10, Anthony Rizzo to Hit a Home Run @ $6.25