Aaron Judge overcomes postseason slump, Yankees take 2-0 lead over Guardians in ALCS

If the saying that a series doesn't begin until the home team loses a game is true, then the Cleveland Guardians are still waiting for the American League Championship Series to begin.

The New York Yankees are just two wins away from winning their first pennant since 2009 after their 6-3 victory over the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday night.

What was supposed to be a pitchers' duel was anything but. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole recorded just one out in the fifth inning, and Tanner Bibee was pulled in the second inning.

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Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2024 in New York City has. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

New York took an early 3-0 lead when Aaron Judge's sky-high pop-up was dropped, setting up the game's first run. In the second inning, Alex Verdugo recorded an RBI double, and then Judge hit a sac fly with the bases loaded (it was reliever Cade Smith's first batter after Cleveland intentionally walked Juan Soto).

However, the Guardians pounced on Cole in the fifth, loading the bases and playing small ball with a sac fly and a fielder's choice that scored a run to make the score 3-2.

The Yankees had a chance for a big sixth inning, but Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Rizzo were both thrown out on the bases. Instead, they scored just one run after Rizzo doubled and Volpe scored on an error.

However, Judge finally got the big October hit he so desperately needed, blasting a two-run home run to center field in the seventh to give the Yankees a 6-2 lead.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game Two of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

Judge had hit .204 in his last 49 postseason games beginning Tuesday – this October alone, he was 2 for 17 (.118), albeit with a .333 on-base percentage. His long-term resume in October still isn't great, but it's safe to say he needed something.

Four Yankees relievers combined for 4.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and two walks while recording three strikeouts. Jose Ramirez's solo home run in the ninth inning off Luke Weaver was the first earned run allowed by the Yankees' bullpen this October.

The series now moves to Cleveland, where Game 3 takes place on Thursday at 5:08 p.m. ET. Clarke Schmidt will start for the Yankees, while Cleveland's starter has not yet been named.

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Austin Wells #28 after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2024 in New York York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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Cleveland must win two of three home games to force the series back to the Bronx – and win four of the last five to advance to the World Series.

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