MLB Playoffs 2024: Yankees announce ALCS roster

When the Guardians defeated the Tigers in Game 5 of their American League Division Series in Cleveland on Saturday, it officially sparked a long-running postseason rivalry in the 2024 American League Championship Series. The Yankees got their ALCS ticket back in Kansas City on Thursday when they defeated the Royals in four games.

As John reported, New York and Cleveland have previously faced off in six different playoff series, including a brief Wild Card Series in 2020 and four ALDS Rumbles, most recently in 2022 (when Gerrit Cole was in the spotlight). However, this will be the first ALCS between them since 1998, when these legendary Yanks pulled off a scare in Cleveland and won the pennant in six games.

The ALCS will feature a more consistent schedule than the ALDS, with built-in rest days after Games 2 and 5, weather permitting. Neither team needed a fourth starter in the final round, but for Game 4 they need someone other than their first three starters. Plus, bullpens aren't afforded as much rest, so each team will add one or two more relievers at the expense of the bench.

So here's who the Yankees will field to face Cleveland with a spot in the World Series on the line.

Catcher: Austin Wells, Jose Trevino (2)
Infielder: Anthony Rizzo, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera, Jon Berti (6)
Outfielder: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Jason Dominguez, Trent Grisham (5)
Designated batsman: Giancarlo Stanton (1)
Starting pitchers: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil (4)
Bullpen: Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, Clay Holmes, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, Jake Cousins, Tim Mayza, Marcus Stroman (8)

The Yankees have fielded fairly consistent starting lineups, with Wells behind the plate, Torres at second, Volpe at shortstop, Chisholm at third, Stanton at DH, and a left-to-right outfield of Verdugo, Judge and Soto.

The cold corner was a question as the Yankees used a mix of utilityman Cabrera and first-time first baseman Berti in Rizzo's plunking-induced absence. Young Ben Rice was also on the ALDS squad, although he didn't play and was left out of this round. Rizzo was hoping his hand could heal in time for him to return to the ALCS, and apparently the Yankees have decided he can be fine. Will he actually be ready for in-game action and pitching? Is this a move with an eye on the final part of the series when he can't strike yet? We'll find out soon enough. As long as the Yankees play quality first base, they will probably be happy.

So look for Cabrera and Berti to take key roles on the bench again, and with the speedy Berti able to be the designated pinch-runner again, Duke Ellis' ALDS spot has been rendered redundant. He was cut to add another pitcher to the roster. Joining Cabrera and Berti on the pine are backup catcher Trevino, rookie Domínguez and reserve outfielder Grisham. The Yankees made their decision to rely on Verdugo in left field instead of Domínguez, largely because they were comfortable with the former's familiarity with the position. But the 21-year-old will be there when needed. However, Boone was reluctant to use his bench in the ALDS, so we'll see.

Rodón will start Game 1 tonight, followed by ace Cole in Game 2. As he did in the ALDS, Schmidt will officiate Game 3, and Rookie of the Year candidate Gil will be in the playoffs in Game 4 -Debut needed after failing to make it against Kansas City. Nestor Cortes has been trying to bounce back from a late elbow injury, but he's not quite there yet and so isn't on the playoff roster. The relievers will be especially important since all of the starters outside of Cole likely have a short leash and, frankly, the bullpen has been great for over a month. Look for Weaver, Kahnle, Holmes and Hamilton to get the highest leverage moments. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Cousins ​​or Hill in a big role.

The spring is rounded off by Mayza and Stroman. The latter was left off the ALDS roster as he had been left out of the starting lineup and was only able to make a limited contribution in a short streak that included several days out. But in this extended series, Stroman could be needed for mop-up duties or just as an emergency arm in extra innings. There is value in having someone who can provide length, even if it is just “good” length.

As a reminder, here is the current ALCS schedule:

*If necessary
**Game 6 would begin at 7:38 p.m. ET if the NLCS did not play seven games.