The New York Yankees are going to the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 5 to 2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a return to baseball’s biggest stage for the Yankees, who have not played in the World Series since winning it in 2009. While the 15-year drought does not seem very long, it tied the franchise’s record for the largest gap between pennants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This team was propelled to the Fall Classic by timely hitting by the top of its lineup, particularly designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, and a nearly perfect bullpen aside from a collapse in Game 3 against the Guardians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Yankees trailed the Guardians 0-2 until Stanton hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth, tying the game and sending it to extra innings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the top of the 10th, Juan Soto sealed the deal for the Yankees, smashing a three-run home run with two outs on the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Guardians couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the win, Soto said his team “did a really good job here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We were grinding. We were working hard. Now we are the best team in the American League,” He said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soto called the Yankees “the best in the game” and said the chance to bring your team to the World Series is “the best feeling.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We have all the talent we need to go all the way,” Soto said, adding “we’re really sticking together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’re pushing each other. … We’re feeling really good,” he said. “We have a World Series to win.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the Yankees have been absent from the World Series, they have been in the playoffs in nearly every season and have reached five championship series<\/a> (2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n