There’s no need for Yankees fans to panic just yet. While the loss in Game 3 of the ALCS to the Guardians was undeniably tough, it’s important to remember that this team has faced adversity before and come out stronger.
The Yankees started strong with an early lead thanks to a Jose Trevino RBI single, but momentum quickly shifted to the Guardians in front of a raucous home crowd. Kyle Manzardo’s two-run homer in the third and another run in the sixth gave Cleveland a 3-1 advantage.
But the Yankees weren’t done—Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton responded with back-to-back homers that momentarily put them back in the driver’s seat. As Taylor Swift famously said, “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending,” and indeed, the familiar sting echoed from the 2021 Field of Dreams game. Although Anthony Volpe added an insurance run, the Guardians clawed back with late-game homers off Luke Weaver and Clay Holmes, ultimately walking it off with a 7-5 victory.
Despite the heartbreak, the Yankees have the talent and resilience to bounce back. This series is far from over, and each game is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Here are a few reasons why the Yankees should turn pain into power to channel this loss toward a World Series charge:
1. The Importance of Hard-Fought Battles
If you’ve ever played a competitive sport, you know that even the hottest teams need a reality check now and then. In playoff baseball, adversity is part of the game. Imagine this: you cruise through the Championship Series, winning all four games and closing it out on Friday. Then, you have to sit for a week before the World Series. If you haven’t faced any adversity, your options are facing either the team that swept you during the regular season or the one that had the best record in baseball. Who wants that? Would you really want to go up against the Mets or the Dodgers after a week off with no momentum to ride in on?
"They scratched and clawed their way back in… It sucks losing like that obviously, but it was a classic game and we'll be ready to roll tomorrow."
– Yankees skipper Aaron Boone after the walk-off loss in Game 3#Postseason pic.twitter.com/c0WEDXKtz9
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 18, 2024
2. A 3-0 ALCS Lead Means Nothing
A 3-0 lead in the ALCS doesn’t guarantee anything. If you’re not familiar with the 2004 ALCS, you might not fully appreciate the tension of postseason baseball—or maybe your heart is healthier than mine! That year, the Boston Red Sox pulled off a stunning comeback against the New York Yankees. After jumping to a 3-0 series lead and being just one win away from the World Series, the Yankees became complacent. The Red Sox went on to make history by winning four straight games, with David Ortiz delivering clutch hits, including walk-off homers in Games 4 and 5, and Curt Schilling dominating on the mound in Game 6 despite pitching with a sutured ankle. They ultimately clinched the series in seven games, becoming the first team to recover from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven format. This victory not only ended the “Curse of the Bambino” but also etched one of the most painful moments in Yankees history—a scenario we never want to relive. Just because the Yankees had the opportunity to take a 3-0 lead on the Guardians in this series doesn’t mean we should feel comfortable; we must remain vigilant to avoid facing that haunting possibility again.
3. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton
Do you need a reminder that these two just delivered back-to-back homers in a historic Game 3 matchup? This is everything the Yankees have hoped for since 2018 when they brought Giancarlo Stanton to New York, and the chance of this happening is precisely why they made the deal with the Marlins to put Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes. While past postseasons haven’t gone to plan, we’re witnessing a shift right now. Aaron Judge is heating up in the shadows, hitting home runs in consecutive games, while Giancarlo Stanton has been on a tear throughout the postseason. Together, the lethal duo could be the formula the Yankees had always hoped would deliver its 28th World Series Championship.
4. WE ARE THE NEW YORK YANKEES
We are the New York Yankees—the most successful franchise in baseball history and the winningest postseason team to ever step on the field. While perfection is an impossible standard, our storied legacy speaks volumes about our ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Every season brings its own challenges, but the Yankees have consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to winning. We’ve faced adversity before and emerged stronger, thanks to our deep roster of talent and a winning culture that permeates the organization. So, while doubts may arise, there’s no reason to worry about our ability to capture another World Series title. The Yankees know how to perform on the biggest stage, and history shows we thrive when the stakes are highest.
