Today’s 7:37pm start time at ‘new’ Yankee stadium against the Guardians has been pushed until tomorrow afternoon at 1:07pm due to heavy rain in the city that never sleeps. The team that holds the most championships in all of sports is up one game on Terry Francona’s rag tag team of youngsters. The no-names, (Jose exception) take the field after the storm has passed against heavy hitters in Judge, Rizzo, LeMahieu, and Donaldson. After the low scoring affair with the Tampa Rays in the Wild Card series, four total runs, the Guards will have to sacrifice a chicken because, these bats “no hit curveball.” And the Yanks scored 802 runs good for 2nd to Cleveland’s 684, can small ball prevail?
Cleveland’s ace Shane Bieber takes the ball 60ft and 6 inches staring the Evil Empire directly in the eyes. His four-seam fastball and slider were deadly this year with 198 strikeouts; earning a 2.88 ERA with 13 wins. Pitching from behind should concern the Guards but they have first at-bat and if they can get a runner on against Nestor Cortes maybe they can show us a stolen base, they took 117 from opponents. Cortes had 12 wins, 163k’s, and a 2.44 ERA; nothing to sneeze at. If Bieber gets a couple runs in the first he can dial in and fearlessly throw fire, heating up the kitchen with stinky cheese. I believe Cleveland will have to score at minimum of 5 runs to beat the beast from the east.
The 1:07pm start time is weighing in the Guards favor. Think about the big stage that is Yankee Stadium and being in your 20’s during October ball, the reason for the season! The early spot on TBS is a blessing in plain sight. Leftfielder Steven Kwan had 2 hits and the only run scored in the lead-off spot in game 1for Cleveland, I suppose his 168 hits and .298 batting average during the regular season bled through to the postseason. Second-baseman, Gimenez, (from the Mets Lindor trade) had an impressive jump in production on both sides of the ball. He belted 17 homeruns and 69 RBI, to go along with a .297 BA. Naylor, at first, (San Diego Clevenger trade) is a ball player through and through. Not only did he slug 20 HR, he drove in 79 RBI; in-addition to his J.U.I.C.E.
The youngest squad in MLB is anchored by the old man, 30 year old, 3rd baseman, Jose Ramirez. The veteran had an All-Star year driving in 126 ducks on the pond, 29 dingers, and 90 cleating home plate with high fives. His switch hitting stances, small strike zone, and an eye for the Rawlings red stitched hardball, make him dangerous with contact. He can stand on a stage with home-run leader A-A-Ron Judge, 62 HR, 131 RBI, and a .311 BA; DANG! Although, when I first saw Judge in Spring-ball years ago, he was ‘head and shoulders’ above everyone on the field. Maybe the Guards get a chance to throw their own Goliath at him with the game on the line, name, Clase.
Emmanuel Clase, the league leader in saves, 42, is a stud. He guards the bottom of the ninth and bullpen with speeds of 100mph. Suspended for PED’s previously he’s back for a reckoning. Would it be disrespectful to play ‘Enter Sandman’, in the Bronx? 77 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched, with 3 homers allowed, and 1.33 ERA; maybe ‘Fade to Black’?
Whatever transpires tomorrow teams around the league are in awe, jealous of what the small market ball club, in the rustbelt, with a payroll of under $50 million; including 12 at the league minimum, between 700k-900k, has accomplished 90 wins and a division title. Tell that to the Angels, payroll 2022 $187 million; last play-off appearance 2014. Gene Hackman said in the movie, Enemy of the State, to Will Smith’s character, “when they go big, we go small.” Let’s see if the Guardians can play their brand of ball away from home against the Bronx Bombers. October, when fall weather crisps can be heard and felt when the ball strikes the catcher’s mitt, with the intensity of a team and a fan base at a 10, competing giving more than their best; the electricity is enough to light Jaco-o-lanterns in perpetuity on the North Coast.
Go Guards!
You’ll always be my Tribe.
