New York Yankees vs Cleveland Guardians: 3 bold predictions for Game 5

By Kevin Henry | Oct 17, 2022

Oct 14, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view as New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) pitches against Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (17) during the third inning in game two of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 3

New York Yankees fans watch Aaron Judge bat at Yankee Stadium. Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Yankee Stadium will be a difference-maker

On the National League side of the bracket, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are already out of the postseason, despite earning first-round byes and having home-field advantage over their Wild Card-winning opponents. When it comes to Game 5 in the Bronx, the Yankees will use that home-field advantage to push past the Guardians and into the ALCS against the Houston Astros.

The youngest MLB team heading to the Bronx for an all-or-nothing showdown simply sets up well for the Yankees. New York went 57-24 at home this season, and that includes a three-game sweep of the Guardians back in April when Yankees fans mixed it up with the Guardians in the outfield. After that series, Cleveland outfielder Myles Straw had some choice words about Yankees fans, including calling them “classless.”

Well, those words haven’t been forgotten in the Bronx, and Straw has already been booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd plenty this postseason. Expect those boos to be even louder on Monday night as New York fans will do everything they can to get inside the heads of Straw and the rest of the young Guardians.

If New York gets out to an early lead, Yankee Stadium will get loud quickly and it will become an even bigger advantage for the home team.

Home/New York Yankees