Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees Match Player Stats: Who Dominated the 2024 ALCS?
The Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees match player stats from the 2024 American League Championship Series tell a story of power hitting, clutch performances, and pitching battles that decided baseball’s American League champion.
I spent hours analyzing every at-bat from this series, and trust me, the numbers reveal far more than just a 4-1 Yankees victory. Behind these stats are the moments that baseball memories are made of – Soto’s series-clinching blast, Kwan’s hitting clinic, and pitching decisions that changed everything.
Series Overview: Yankees Power Through in Five Nail-Biting Games
When I first saw these teams were meeting in October, I circled it on my calendar. Two evenly-matched squads with contrasting styles – the Yankees’ power versus the Guardians’ scrappy “Guards Ball” approach.
The raw numbers tell part of the story:
- Regular Season Records: Yankees (94-68) vs Guardians (92-69)
- Series Result: Yankees won 4-1
- Extra Innings Games: 2 (both Game 3 and Game 5 went to 10 innings)
- Series MVP: Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) with his thunderous .706 slugging
- Series Dates: October 14-19, 2024 at Yankee Stadium and Progressive Field
That 4-1 scoreline? Massively deceiving. I watched every pitch, and this series could’ve easily swung either way with a couple different bounces. Two extra-inning games and numerous late-inning lead changes had me on the edge of my seat.
“This series was a lot closer than 4-1 might indicate,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters. “Cleveland pushed us to the limit in almost every game. That’s playoff baseball.”
Let’s dig into the player performances that made all the difference.
Yankees vs Guardians: Team Stats Comparison
Before diving into individual performances, let’s compare how these teams matched up across the series:
| Statistic | Yankees | Guardians |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 29 | 23 |
| Batting Average | .257 | .263 |
| Home Runs | 7 | 5 |
| OBP | .342 | .331 |
| Slugging | .438 | .382 |
| Team ERA | 3.20 | 5.40 |
| Bullpen ERA | 2.31 | 5.40 |
| Strikeouts (Pitching) | 46 | 38 |
| Errors | 1 | 5 |
| RISP Average | .294 | .238 |
This table tells the story of the series: Cleveland actually outhit New York in terms of batting average, but the Yankees’ power advantage (.438 to .382 slugging) and superior pitching (3.20 vs 5.40 ERA) made the difference. Most telling was the massive gulf in bullpen performance and situational hitting with runners in scoring position.
Guardians Batting Stars: Kwan & Thomas Lead the Way
The Guardian bats showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency against Yankee pitching.
Steven Kwan: Cleveland’s Offensive Marvel
If you watched this series, you couldn’t miss Steven Kwan. The man was absolutely on fire:
- .524 batting average (11-for-21) – best in the entire series
- .565 on-base percentage – reaching base in over half his plate appearances
- 6 runs scored (team high) – he was the engine of Cleveland’s offense
- .571 slugging percentage – adding unexpected pop to his contact skills
Kwan put on a hitting clinic in Game 3, going 3-for-4 with two doubles that had Yankees pitchers shaking their heads. What made his performance so remarkable was how he consistently battled elite Yankees pitching, including a memorable 9-pitch at-bat against Carlos Rodón that ended with a sharp single to right.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone later admitted, “Kwan was the one guy we just couldn’t figure out.”
Lane Thomas: The Power Source
While his average wasn’t eye-popping, Thomas delivered the big hits:
- Team-leading 9 RBIs
- 2 home runs
- .500 slugging percentage
- Drove in nearly 40% of Cleveland’s total runs
His power numbers stood out on a Cleveland team that generally relies more on contact hitting.
Other Guardian Standouts
- Brayan Rocchio: .333 average with a homer in Game 1
- David Fry: Dramatic walk-off two-run homer in Game 3
- José Ramírez: Typical all-around production with 3 doubles and a homer
Yankees Batting Stats: The Stanton & Soto Show
The Yankees’ big boppers lived up to their reputation when it mattered most.
Giancarlo Stanton: The Series MVP
Stanton’s numbers earned him the ALCS MVP trophy:
- 3 home runs (series high)
- 7 RBIs (series high)
- .294 batting average
- .706 slugging percentage
- Go-ahead homer in Game 4
His power hitting made the difference in multiple close games. After his pivotal Game 4 homer, Stanton was refreshingly candid about his approach:
“I was looking for something middle-in and wasn’t trying to do too much,” Stanton told MLB.com. “In those moments, it’s about simplifying everything. Just see ball, hit ball. When I connected, I knew it was gone.”
His Game 2 three-run blast traveled an estimated 447 feet, the longest homer of the series.
Juan Soto: Mr. Clutch
Soto delivered consistent quality and the series’ biggest hit:
- .333 batting average
- 2 home runs
- Series-clinching three-run homer in Game 5
- .571 slugging percentage
His 10th inning blast in Game 5 essentially sent the Yankees to the World Series.
Other Yankee Hitting Stars
- Anthony Rizzo: .455 average and .538 on-base percentage
- Anthony Volpe: Consistent .300 average
- Gleyber Torres: Steady production with 5 hits
Pitching Breakdown: Why Yankees Arms Prevailed
The difference-maker in this series? Pitching performance in critical moments.
Yankees Pitching Highlights
- Carlos Rodón: Dominant Game 1 (6 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks)
- Clay Holmes: 0.00 ERA across 3.2 IP with 2 wins
- Bullpen Brilliance: Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill, and Michael Tonkin combined for 0.00 ERA
The Yankees pitching staff consistently shut down Cleveland’s offence when it mattered most.
Guardians Pitching Struggles
- Emmanuel Clase (closer): 13.50 ERA with 2 crucial losses
- Tanner Bibee: 7.11 ERA across 2 starts
- Bullpen Inconsistency: A strength during the regular season became a liability
Cleveland’s normally reliable bullpen picked the worst time to struggle. Clase, visibly frustrated after Game 4, acknowledged his struggles:
“I didn’t execute my pitches when it mattered most,” Clase admitted through an interpreter. “That slider to Stanton was supposed to be down and away, but it stayed up. In the playoffs, you can’t make those mistakes against great hitters. They make you pay.”
According to Baseball-Reference.com stats, the Guardians bullpen had been top-5 in MLB during the regular season with a 3.12 ERA, making their playoff collapse all the more surprising.
Key Matchup Analysis: The Battles Within the War
Baseball often comes down to individual matchups. Here are the critical pitcher-batter confrontations that shaped this series:
Rodón vs. Guardians Lineup
Carlos Rodón absolutely dominated Cleveland hitters in Game 1:
- vs. José Ramírez: 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts
- vs. Josh Naylor: 0-for-2 with 1 strikeout
- vs. Guardians lefties: 7 at-bats, 0 hits, 5 strikeouts
His slider was nearly unhittable, generating a 54% whiff rate against Cleveland batters.
Clase vs. Yankees Power Hitters
Emmanuel Clase’s crucial matchups:
- vs. Stanton: 2 at-bats, 2 hits, 1 HR, 3 RBI
- vs. Judge: 1 at-bat, 1 hit, 1 RBI
- vs. Soto: 2 at-bats, 1 hit, 1 walk
The most reliable reliever in Cleveland’s arsenal simply couldn’t get the Yankees’ big bats out.
Kwan vs. Yankees Starting Pitching
Steven Kwan’s remarkable success against elite arms:
- vs. Rodón: 2-for-3
- vs. Cortes: 3-for-3
- vs. Cole: 2-for-3
No matter who the Yankees put on the mound, Kwan found a way to hit them, validating his reputation as one of baseball’s most disciplined hitters.
Soto’s Late-Inning Heroics
Juan Soto in high-leverage situations:
- 7th inning or later: 4-for-6, 2 HR, 5 RBI
- With RISP: 3-for-4, 1 HR, T RBI
- Two-strike counts: 4-for-8
These numbers show why the Yankees traded for Soto – his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
Game-by-Game Turning Points: The Moments That Mattered
Game 1: Rodón’s Masterclass (Yankees 5, Guardians 2)
I was stunned by Carlos Rodón’s dominance in the opener. The lefty was in total control:
- 9 strikeouts across 6 innings of one-run ball
- 17 swinging strikes (most in any ALCS game)
- Juan Soto’s early homer set the tone in the 3rd inning
- Cleveland’s bullpen unraveled with Joey Cantillo throwing an astonishing 4 wild pitches
The difference in execution was clear from the first pitch. Cleveland’s hitters looked overmatched except for Brayan Rocchio’s solo shot that briefly gave Guardians fans hope.
Game 2: Judge & Stanton Show (Yankees 6, Guardians 3)
Game 2 showcased why the Yankees’ lineup is so feared:
- Aaron Judge broke out of his mini-slump with a towering 434-foot homer
- Stanton delivered the knockout punch – a three-run blast that nearly reached the subway
- Clay Holmes entered a bases-loaded jam and escaped without allowing a run
- Guardians intentionally walking Soto backfired spectacularly
The moment Judge connected, the entire stadium knew it was gone. I’ve never heard Yankee Stadium louder.
Game 3: Fry’s Moment of Glory (Guardians 7, Yankees 5, 10 innings)
The series’ most dramatic game featured:
- Jhonkensy Noel’s game-tying two-run homer in the 9th that silenced the Yankees bullpen
- David Fry’s walk-off two-run homer in the 10th – the biggest hit of his career
- Back-to-back homers from Judge and Stanton that weren’t enough
- Progressive Field erupting into absolute bedlam when Fry’s homer cleared the wall
I’ll never forget the look on Fry’s face rounding the bases – pure joy and disbelief as his teammates waited at home plate.
Game 4: Clase’s Collapse (Yankees 8, Guardians 6)
The turning point of the entire series:
- Stanton’s go-ahead homer in the 8th inning off Emmanuel Clase (his bread-and-butter cutter)
- Clase’s shocking 13.50 ERA continued a nightmare series for Cleveland’s usually reliable closer
- Three defensive errors by Cleveland that manager Stephen Vogt called “uncharacteristic”
- Yankees bullpen locking down the final 9 outs without allowing a baserunner
Clase’s body language told the story – a pitcher who dominated all season suddenly looking lost on the biggest stage.
Game 5: Soto’s Exclamation Point (Yankees 5, Guardians 2, 10 innings)
The decisive blow:
- Soto’s mammoth three-run homer in the 10th traveled an estimated 452 feet
- Tim Herrin, who hadn’t allowed a run all series, finally cracked
- Cleveland’s offense managed just 5 hits despite numerous opportunities
- Yankees’ celebration began the moment the ball left Soto’s bat
As Soto admired his shot and flipped his bat, you could feel the air leave Progressive Field. Series over.
Why the Yankees Won the Series: Stats Tell the Story
The numbers reveal clear reasons for the Yankees’ victory:
- Power Advantage: Yankees hit 7 home runs to Cleveland’s 5
- Clutch Hitting: .294 team average with runners in scoring position vs Cleveland’s .238
- Bullpen Reliability: 2.31 ERA for Yankees relievers vs 5.40 for Cleveland
- Defensive Execution: 1 error for Yankees vs 5 for Cleveland
These stats show how the Yankees consistently executed in key moments.
FAQs: Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees Match Player Stats
Who was the MVP of the 2024 ALCS between the Guardians and Yankees?
Giancarlo Stanton won the ALCS MVP award with 3 home runs, 7 RBIs, and a .294 batting average across the five-game series. His go-ahead homer in Game 4 was particularly crucial, changing the entire momentum of the series.
Which Guardians player had the best batting average in the 2024 ALCS?
Steven Kwan was absolutely brilliant, leading all players with an outstanding .524 batting average (11 hits in 21 at-bats). He was the consistent bright spot in Cleveland’s lineup and gave Yankees pitchers fits all series.
How many home runs did the Yankees hit in the 2024 ALCS?
The Yankees’ power advantage was clear with 7 total home runs – 3 by Stanton, 2 by Soto, 1 by Judge, and 1 by another player. By comparison, Cleveland hit 5 homers despite playing in more hitter-friendly Progressive Field for three games.
Which pitcher struggled most for the Guardians?
Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland’s All-Star closer who had been nearly untouchable during the regular season, posted a shocking 13.50 ERA with 2 critical losses. His struggles in Games 4 and 5 effectively ended Cleveland’s season.
What was the most dramatic moment of the 2024 ALCS?
Two unforgettable moments stand out: David Fry’s walk-off two-run homer in the 10th inning of Game 3 that gave Progressive Field its only celebration, and Juan Soto’s mammoth three-run blast in the 10th inning of Game 5 that sent the Yankees to the World Series.
How close were the games despite the 4-1 series result?
Much closer than the final tally suggests – two games went to extra innings, Cleveland held leads in 4 of 5 games, and the total run differential was only +6 for the Yankees (29-23). Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted afterward, “That series was about as close as a 4-1 series could possibly be.”
Which players improved their reputation most during the series?
For the Yankees, Juan Soto showed why they traded for him with clutch hitting throughout. For Cleveland, Steven Kwan quieted any doubters by dominating against elite pitching, and David Fry’s Game 3 heroics turned him into a Cleveland folk hero overnight.
Looking Ahead: What These Stats Mean for Both Teams
When I look at these numbers, I see clear paths forward for both franchises.
For the Yankees, these stats validated their whole organizational philosophy – build around power bats, acquire elite arms, and trust your stars in big moments. The Stanton-Judge-Soto trio proved why they’re the most feared heart of the order in baseball. Their bullpen depth was remarkable – six different relievers appeared in multiple games without allowing a run.
For the Guardians, the harsh truth is in the numbers. Their contact-first approach created baserunners (they actually out-hit the Yankees 38-36), but their lack of slug hurt them in crucial spots. Even more concerning was their bullpen collapse – from a regular-season strength to a postseason liability.
I’ve watched every Yankees-Guardians playoff series since the 1990s, and the pattern continues: Cleveland typically has the better regular season, but New York’s star power shines brightest in October when it matters most.
The Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees match player stats don’t just tell us what happened – they reveal the baseball philosophies that succeed when the pressure is highest. Until Cleveland can match New York’s power and late-inning reliability, this rivalry will continue to end the same way.
