The Yankees continued to dominate as their offense surged in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, taking a 3-1 series lead. The Yankees' top hitters, including Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton, proved too much for Cleveland's bullpen, particularly rookie sensation Cade Smith, who had been stellar until the Guardians vs Yankees matchup took its toll.
Smith, called upon for the third consecutive game to face the heart of the Yankees’ lineup, struggled for the first time this postseason. In the sixth inning, Soto walked, Judge singled, and Giancarlo Stanton capitalized by launching a three-run homer, extending New York’s lead to 6-2. Cleveland's manager, Stephen Vogt, acknowledged the challenge of containing New York’s formidable bats, especially as Smith began to show signs of fatigue.
Despite the Guardians' bullpen faltering, Cleveland clawed its way back into the game, narrowing the gap to 6-5 thanks to key hits from José Ramírez and Josh Naylor. A quirky sequence in the eighth tied the game, but closer Emmanuel Clase couldn’t hold the tie, allowing two more runs in the ninth inning. His October struggles continued, and despite Cleveland’s resilience, their rally fell short in the final frame.
With this win, the Yankees now hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the ALCS. As the series shifts back to New York, the Guardians face an uphill battle, needing to win three straight games to advance.