What do your favorite Covering the Corner writers think about the upcoming Guardians-Yankees matchup?
As we anxiously await tonight’s game one of the American League Championship series, we asked the Covering the Corner crew for their thoughts as the Guardians try to wrest a pennant away from the Yankees:
What are you most excited about for the Guardians in the ALCS?
Brendan: BRAYAN ROCCHIO, BABY
Madelyn: To simply see the Guardians in the ALCS for the first time since they went all the way in 2016. I became a diehard Cleveland baseball fan during the World Series in 2016, so this will be my first time really seeing them play in the Championship Series. With this particular team, I could not be more excited. Not only will I get to see my favorite player, Eli Morgan, on one of the biggest stages this sport has to offer, I’ll get to see guys like Steven Kwan, Cade Smith, and Emmanuel Clase reach this caliber for the first time as they so rightly deserve.
Matt Seese: seeing Jose avenge the past losses to the Yankees in the postseason. He is the only member of the active roster who experienced all three series losses to New York under Francona, and a chance to avenge his infamous cupcake tweet as well.
Matt Schlichting: I dunno Quincy. It’s the New York Yankees. I’m not sure if they should even show up. It’s the most storied franchise in all of sports and an inspiration to all those powerful folks born on third.
Nicole: how this team handles the pressure of playing in Yankee Stadium. I’m pretty sure it’s going to feed into their energy and fuel their drive for victory. This team isn’t as intimidated as the ‘22 squad was. Every “insurmountable” mountain is just another challenge for them to overcome. There’s a level of reckless abandon with their competitiveness that thrives on chaos and being the underdog with their backs on the ropes.
Quincy: I’m so excited to be on the brink of the Guardians’ seventh World Series appearance all-time AND they added the #1-pick draft class this past offseason. This is such a fun team and organization to root for!
westbrook: Cleveland having a chance to be responsible for “Yankee Death Day” (unofficial holiday every season when the New York Yankees are eliminated from World Series contention).
Zach: I’m most excited to see how this group matches up against the best team in the AL. The Guardians have had a rough recent history against the Yankees in the playoffs which I’m sure they all know about and are eager to change the narrative.
What are you most nervous about?
Brendan: Getting length out of the rotation!
Madelyn: Facing a powerhouse like the Yankees at this stage. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are two of the most dominant players in the game with the former being an MVP favorite this year. While there’s not one fearsome player that sticks out like the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, I do worry about the offensive juggernaut coming out of New York. While we have our own MVP candidate to match, only time will tell if he will be enough.
Matt Seese: the pitching. Vogt is going to have to use starters deeper into games in this series. It’s a 7 game series, and the format does not favor their heavy bullpen usage quite the same way the ALDS did. Arms like Cobb, Lively, and Williams are going to be needed.
Matt Schlichting: I’m really worried these rubes from Cleveland are just gonna keep staring at those damn pinstripes. How did BABE RUTH keep HITTIN THOSE HOME RUNS? [pantomimes swing but has clearly never picked up a bat] Because he BELIEVED. …Didn’t you hear? Ebbets field BLEW UP!
Nicole: the longevity of the arms. It feels like the plan of attack against the Tigers isn’t sustainable. But, the plan of attack is going to be much different against the Yankees than the Tigers and might render this moot.
Quincy: I feel like we’re playing with house money. I desperately want to win a World Series, don’t get me wrong, and beating the Yankees here would FEEL like winning a title. But, it’s also been such a magical season. I guess I’m nervous that Jose will continue not to get some hits to fall and balls to get out and stupid people will continue to say he’s “not clutch” or some junk like that.
westbrook: It feels like we haven’t take a series against the Yankees in half a decade.
Zach: I’m most nervous that this series will end up how all the series vs the Yankees have went the last 10 years. Where our offense can’t keep up against the likes of Judge, Soto, Stanton. I do think this team is a lot closer in talent to this Yankees team than years in the past, though.
Make one prediction for the Guardians in this ALCS?
Brendan: Josh Naylor becomes a big X-factor and goes deep on Cole once
Madelyn: Matthew Boyd will continue his streak of dominance in the postseason. Between his 4.2 innings in Game 2 and two innings in Game 5, Boyd had given the Guardians nothing but perfection. His 0.00 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and 1.20 WHIP are all the Guards need to carry them to a couple more wins.
Matt Seese: Tanner Bibee pitches twice, and he goes at least 6 innings in both and allows fewer than 3 total runs.
Matt Schlichting: Willy Loman strikes out the side to end game seven and send the Guards packing, y’understand?
Nicole: Andrés Giménez heats up for this series.
Quincy: Eli Morgan will pitch at least five shutout innings in the series.
westbrook: There will actually be two games in which Cade Smith does not pitch.
Zach: I’m sticking with my prediction that Bo Naylor will go yard. It didn’t quite work out in the ALDS but I feel good about with all the RHP we will face in this series.