Yankees vs Guardians: ALCS Game 3 Highlights and Analysis

Major League Baseball’s American League Championship Series witnessed intense action on Thursday as the New York Yankees aimed to secure a commanding 3-0 lead against the Cleveland Guardians in their best-of-seven series. The matchup unfolded at Progressive Field, with right-hander Clarke Schmidt taking the mound for the Yankees and veteran lefty Matthew Boyd pitching for the Guardians.

Schmidt, making his second postseason appearance, had posted a solid performance during the regular season with a 2.85 ERA over 85 innings. Boyd, meanwhile, entered this game on the back of two previous scoreless outings in the postseason.

The Yankees struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to Jose Trevino‘s single. However, the Guardians quickly responded with a two-run home run by Kyle Manzardo in the third inning, putting them ahead for the first time in the series.

Throughout the game, both teams experienced missed opportunities, with runners left stranded on base and defensive errors impacting the scoreline. For the Yankees, Jon Berti‘s fielding issues and Trevino’s base-running error after his RBI single were notable lapses.

Cleveland’s lineup featured key performances from Kyle Manzardo and Jose Ramirez, whose impactful hitting kept the pressure on the Yankees’ defense. The Guardians’ manager, Stephen Vogt, had strategically included Austin Hedges for his defensive capabilities despite his struggles at the plate, opting for a more dynamic approach later in the game if needed.

On the Yankees’ side, Aaron Boone made several lineup adjustments to counter Boyd’s left-handed pitching, benching regular starters such as Anthony Rizzo and Austin Wells for the matchup. Gleyber Torres continued to deliver, initiating the game with a walk, marking his sixth such instance in seven postseason games.

The evening game featured the New York Mets facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, where the Mets aimed to even their series at 2-2 to avoid elimination in Game 5. The outcome of both these games is pivotal, as teams strive to gain an edge in the postseason and advance to the World Series.

Live updates and analysis of the ALCS Game 3 were provided throughout the evening by CBS Sports, offering fans a comprehensive look at the pivotal moments and strategies employed by both teams as they battle for postseason supremacy.