Cleveland fans won’t soon forget the Guardians’ epic walk-off win over the Yankees on Thursday night, punctuated by monster home runs by Kensey Noel and David Frye. But with Game 4 on Friday, the Guardians still trail 2-1 in the series, so there’s not much time to celebrate.
This is the first postseason appearance for both Yankees’ starting pitchers Lewis Gil (3.50 ERA in 151 2/3 innings this season) and Gavin Williams (4.86 ERA in 76 innings) for the Guardians.
After Thursday’s heroics, is there more magic in store for the Guardians? They have had a solid home record this season, riding high from their Game 3 win. You’ll soon find out.
How to watch Yankees vs. Guardians ALCS Game 4 (NYY leads 2-1)
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Live19 update
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:41 PM EDT
Eli Morgan retires from Yankees
In the top of the 5th inning, Eli Morgan replaced Cleveland and successfully defeated the Yankees.
Austin Wells struck out and Alex Verdugo grounded out to second base (swinging on a very low inside pitch). Then Gleyber Torres pops out to center field.
Tim Hill appears as Yankees pitcher as the Guardians come to the bottom of the inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:33 PM EDT
Lewis Gil wins 1-2-3 in the 4th inning.
Left-handers Tim Mayza and Tim Hill are warming up in the Yankees’ bullpen.
This seems to indicate that Lewis Gil pitched the last inning of the game. However, they retired Andres Jimenez, Austin Hedges and Brayan Rocchio to end the bottom of the fourth inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:27 PM EDT
Eric Sablowski pitches the top of the 4th inning without giving up a run.
Eric Sablowski struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Giancarlo Stanton and started in the fourth inning. Anthony Rizzo singled to left, but Anthony Volpe flew to center field.
That could be Sablowski’s last inning. Eli Wilson warms up in the Guardians’ bullpen.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:17 PM EDT
Lewis Gil strikes out Daniel Schneemann
Lewis Gil ended up striking out Daniel Schneemann after nine pitches at bat, ending the third inning. The Guardians left two runners on base and trailed 3-2 until the top of the fourth inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:13 PM EDT
Lewis Gil was denied a strikeout call on Lane Thomas
Lane Thomas drew a two-out walk on a hard-checked swing call. (Replays made it look like Thomas avoided it, but the call on the field said otherwise.)
Matt Blake comes out to meet with Lewis Gil before facing Daniel Schneemann.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:08 PM EDT
Josh Naylor’s RBI single
Steven Kwan reached base for the first time in two at-bats and hit a single to take the lead in the bottom of the third inning. He stole a base and advanced to second base.
Luis Gil flied Kyle Mansardo to right field and Jose Ramirez to second base. But Josh Naylor singled into the left field seats, driving in Kwan and cutting the Yankees’ lead to 3-2.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:58 PM EDT
Eric Sablowski ejects Soto and Judge.
Eric Sablowski got Stephen Vogt going, got Juan Soto grounded out to first base, and struck out Aaron Judge to end the top of the third inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:55 PM EDT
Guardians pitching change
Gavin Williams retired after 2 1/3 innings. He grounded out Gleyber Torres to third base, and manager Stephen Vogt gave the starting pitcher the hook.
With one out in the third inning, Eric Sablowski appeared in Cleveland’s place.
Williams allowed three runs on three hits, two of which were home runs. He struck out four Yankees batters.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:50 PM EDT
Lewis Gil pitches the bottom of the second inning with no runs allowed.
Brayan Rocchio hit a fly ball against the left field wall, but Alex Verdugo caught it in the bottom of the third inning.
Lewis Gill gave up a walk to Austin Hedges, but retired the next three batters he faced. Daniel Schneemann grounded out to second base, followed by a fly to center field by Andres Jimenez.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:37 PM EDT
Austin Wells goes deep
The Yankees took a 3-1 lead on Austin Wells’ solo home run.
Gavin Williams appeared to be settling down after striking out Anthony Rizzo and Anthony Volpe. But then he took a fastball to the middle of the strike zone and Wells didn’t miss it.
This is Wells’ first home run since September 9th.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:29 PM EDT
Lewis Gil keeps the Guardians to just one goal.
Lewis Gill forced Josh Naylor to pop out to the catcher in foul territory and struck out Lane Thomas to end the bottom of the first inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:26 PM EDT
Coach Jose Ramirez adds Guardian to board of directors
With no outs on first and third base, Jose Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to give the Guardians the lead.
Yankees 2, Guardians 1.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:23 PM EDT
Cleveland’s first two batters get on base.
Parents also get the first two batters on base. Steven Kwan got on base with a walk, and Kyle Manzardo’s double led him to third base.
Jose Ramirez appears here with no outs.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:20 PM EDT
Gavin Williams settles for Juan Soto’s home run
After Gavin Williams hit a two-run home run to Juan Soto, he retired the next three batters. Aaron Judge grounded out to shortstop, Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out, and Giancarlo Stanton flew to right field.
The Guardians come up in the bottom of the first inning.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:13 PM EDT
Juan Soto gives Yankees a 2-0 lead.
The Yankees are off to a strong start in Game 4. Gleyber Torres led off with a single, and Juan Soto smashed a high fastball for two runs.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:37 PM EDT
Aaron Boone talks about moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. to cleanup
It would be an interesting move to have Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Giancarlo Stanton flip-flopping to No. 4 and No. 5 in the lineup. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that the move was to balance left-handed and right-handed hitters in the middle and lower ranks of the Yankees’ batting order.
Why did they use Jazz Chisholm Jr. instead of Giancarlo Stanton to clean up?
Aaron Boone: “I wanted to take Austin (Wells) down. And as you all know, I’m a stickler for that balance sometimes. I wanted to leave it at four out of five (bottom) lefties. There was no such thing). “
— Brian Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 18, 2024
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
Will the Yankees use closer Luke Weaver tonight?
Yankees closer Luke Weaver broke a save in Game 3 on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits (including a home run) in 1 1/3 innings.
This was Weaver’s third appearance in the series, and he made a five-out save in Game 1. After Thursday’s performance, there were questions about whether Weaver was tired from the heavy workload of the postseason.
Luke Weaver and Clay Holmes pitched on three of the four days. Manager Boone said there is a possibility of using “some” four of the five relief pitchers, but did not specify which ones.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) October 18, 2024
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:12 PM EDT
Guardians lineup, Game 4
Same lineup as Game 3 in Cleveland. Some may wonder why David Fry isn’t starting, but why is that the case?
Guardians ALCS Game 4 lineup
1.LF Steven Kwan
2. DH Kyle Manzardo
3. 3B Jose Ramirez
4. 1B Josh Naylor
5. CF Lane Thomas
6.RF Daniel Schneemann
7. 2B Andres Jimenez
8.C Austin Hedges
9. SS Brian Rocchio
SP Gavin Williams
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 18, 2024
Gavin Williams will make his postseason debut with the Guardians. During the regular season, he had a 3-10 record with a 4.86 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 76 innings.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:11pm EDT
Yankees lineup, Game 4: Jazz Chisholm Jr. cleans up, Lewis Gil makes first postseason start.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moved up to cleanup despite going 2-for-12 in the first three games of the ALCS and hitting .148 in the postseason. Giancarlo Stanton will be moved down to No. 5 in the batting order.
Yankees lineup for Game 4:
1. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Aaron Judge, CF
4. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B
5. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
6. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
7. Anthony Volpe, SS
8. Austin Wells, C
9. Alex Verdugo, LF
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 18, 2024
Lewis Gil will take the mound for the first time in the postseason. The rookie went 15-4 in the regular season with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings.
