The New York Yankees are heading to the World Series once again, clinching their 41st appearance after a dramatic win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). With this victory, the Yankees have extended their already incredible legacy in Major League Baseball, further cementing their place as one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports. On the flip side, Cleveland’s baseball history, while rich in tradition, doesn’t come close to matching the Yankees’ success, especially in terms of World Series appearances and championships.
When you look at the postseason dominance of the Yankees, it stands out even more starkly when compared to Cleveland. Both teams have been part of MLB since 1903 when the current team known as the Yankees played their inaugural season in New York. The Yankees have reached the World Series 41 times and won an astounding 27 championships. In contrast, Cleveland has made just six appearances, capturing only two titles in 1920 and 1948. Their most recent trip came in 2016, where they fell to the Chicago Cubs in a dramatic seven-game series. Despite their limited success, Cleveland has remained competitive over the years, but the ultimate prize has continually eluded them. The Yankees, meanwhile, have maintained their winning tradition across multiple eras.
This year’s ALCS served as a showcase of how different the Yankees and Guardians are in their approach to winning. The Yankees have excelled at acquiring top-tier talent and blending seasoned veterans with promising young stars. Players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and former Cubs star Anthony Rizzo have been pivotal to their success this season. On the mound, former White Sox ace Carlos Rodón has anchored the rotation. For Rizzo, returning to the World Series is particularly significant, marking his first trip since helping the Cubs break their 108-year curse in 2016. Now with the Yankees, a franchise that expects nothing less than championships, he’s once again on the game’s biggest stage, but this time with an entirely different mindset. Instead of breaking curses, he’s continuing a legacy.
Rizzo’s leadership and playoff experience have been vital for the Yankees. His steady bat and Gold Glove defense at first base have played essential roles in their postseason run. Having been traded to New York in 2021, Rizzo has transitioned seamlessly into the Bronx, becoming a key figure in the Yankees’ culture of winning. Now back in the World Series, the eight-year gap since his last appearance must feel both like an eternity and a second chance to add to his legacy while helping to enhance the Yankees’ legacy as well.
Adding to the Yankees’ success story is Carlos Rodón, who made the only six-inning start of the ALCS. Rodón, signed by the Yankees in the offseason, has battled injuries throughout his career but remains one of the most dangerous left-handed pitchers when healthy. His six-inning performance in Game 3, where he allowed just two runs, was crucial in a series that saw both teams relying heavily on their bullpens. Rodón’s ability to shut down Cleveland’s offense and give the Yankees a commanding lead in the series demonstrated just why the Yankees invested in him. With elite stuff and a fiery demeanor, Rodón will be essential for the Yankees as they move into the World Series, especially with the bullpen being overworked during this series.
Speaking of the bullpen, another former Cub, Mark Leiter Jr., has proved to be one of the most important midseason acquisitions for the Yankees. Leiter was traded from the Cubs at the July deadline in exchange for two of the Yankees’ top-30 prospects, and the move has paid off. Leiter provided stability in high-leverage situations, stepping into a bullpen that, while talented, has had its shaky moments. His postseason performances have been impressive, helping to solidify a Yankees relief corps that has historically been a strength but needed a boost in this postseason run. Moves like this often go unnoticed compared to blockbuster trades, but Leiter’s contributions have been pivotal in New York’s march toward their 41st World Series appearance.
This ALCS also highlighted a trend that’s become more pronounced in recent years—the reliance on bullpens over deep starting pitching performances. Aside from Rodón’s six innings, no other starter in this series lasted more than five innings. It’s a testament to the modern game, where analytics-driven decisions often favor matchups and quick hooks over allowing a starter to work through the opposing lineup multiple times. Cleveland, in particular, leaned heavily on its young bullpen to get through the series. Manager Stephen Vogt frequently turned to his relief pitchers early, trying to match up against the powerful Yankees lineup. While the Guardians’ arms showed promise, they simply couldn’t keep pace with the Yankees’ bats, especially in key moments.
Despite their young talent, the Guardians couldn’t match up with the Yankees’ star power in this series. Cleveland’s future is undoubtedly bright, with a roster full of exciting young players, but their inability to handle the pressure of October baseball was evident. The Yankees, on the other hand, are built for this kind of stage. With veterans like Rizzo and Stanton leading the way, alongside Judge, one of the most feared hitters in the game, the Yankees overwhelmed Cleveland at critical junctures. The Guardians’ pitching staff, while talented, was simply outmatched by the depth of the Yankees’ lineup.
As the Yankees now turn their attention to the World Series, baseball fans are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of a Subway Series. The New York Mets are battling the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), and the thought of a Yankees-Mets matchup in the World Series for the first time since 2000 is thrilling. The Dodgers, like the Yankees, are among the best teams in baseball, consistently performing at a high level and making them the favorites. However, the Mets have some star power that could swing the series in their favor—players like Starling Marte, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo.
In the NLCS, Marte has emerged as a catalyst in the middle of the lineup, showcasing his speed and ability to get on base. With a batting average of .409 and an on-base percentage above .400 in the series, he has set the tone for the Mets’ offense. Alonso, known for his power-hitting, excelled in the postseason leading up to the NLCS but has struggled to find his rhythm in this series. Similarly, Nimmo, who had a disciplined approach with a slugging percentage over .350 earlier in the playoffs, has faced challenges at the plate as well. Both players’ recent struggles have put added pressure on the Mets’ offense as they try to compete against the formidable Dodgers. If they can regain their form, they could reignite the Mets’ chances in the NLCS.
The last Subway Series in 2000 was a fiery affair, with both teams vying for bragging rights in the city that never sleeps. The Yankees, in the midst of their late-’90s dynasty, ultimately won that series in five games, securing their 26th championship. The Mets, meanwhile, were the scrappy underdogs looking to pull off the upset. Should these two teams meet again in 2024, a similar dynamic would be at play—the Yankees as the established powerhouse and the Mets as the hungry challengers.
For the Yankees, another World Series appearance would only add to their incredible postseason legacy. This is their 41st trip to the Fall Classic, and they’re once again in a position to win it all. For veterans like Rizzo and Rodón, it’s an opportunity to etch their names into the history books of one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. For younger players and rising stars, this is their moment to shine on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, the Mets, if they can get past the Dodgers, would be looking to claim their first championship since 1986. The contrast between the two teams is stark—27 Yankees championships versus just two for the Mets, and 41 World Series appearances versus five. But in a short series, anything can happen, and the Mets have the kind of pitching that could neutralize the Yankees’ powerful lineup. If a Subway Series does occur, it will be one of the most anticipated World Series matchups in recent memory, with the added drama of crosstown rivalry and the weight of history on the line.
Here’s the thing folks: It’s interesting to note that expectations were high before the Championship Series began, with many anticipating that the Yankees would easily overtake the Guardians. After all, they had come a long way from being one of the worst teams in 2023 to possibly being champions. However, the Mets have their backs against the wall and were underdogs, like the Guardians, going into their series against the Dodgers. The difference lies in their stronger team dynamic.
With that… it is time to gear up to watch the Mets do their part to bring us a Subway Series for the first time since 2000, the excitement is palpable.
If you can’t play with them, then root for them!