Juan Soto, Yankees Clinch World Series Berth, Stun MLB Fans in ALCS Win vs. Guardians

Julia StumbaughOctober 20, 2024

Jason Miller/Getty Images

The New York Yankees are headed to the 2024 World Series, courtesy of Juan Soto.

Soto’s three-run homer in the 10th inning of Game 5 powered the Yankees to an ALCS-clinching 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night.

MLB @MLBJUAN SOTO. THREE-RUN HOMER. @YANKEES LEAD IN THE 10TH! pic.twitter.com/w5goa4pSwz

Derek Jeter @derekjeterWe’re back https://t.co/ESlbvyowPO

The hit off Guardians closer Hunter Gaddis, which came with two outs and two strikes on the board, sent Jasson Dominguez and Alex Verdugo home and gave the Yankees a late three-run lead.

Soto, who was named a co-winner of the Babe Ruth Award for his role in leading the Washington Nationals to the 2019 World Series, has now played a key role in winning a pennant for the second time in his career.

Sarah Langs @SlangsOnSportsextra-inning HR in postseason series-clinching win, Yankees history:

2024 ALCS G5 Juan Soto
2003 ALCS G7 Aaron Boone

Michael Baumann @MichaelBaumannJuan Soto’s been to the playoffs three times in his career, and in those trips he’s taken the Nationals further than they’ve ever gone, the Padres further than they’d been in 24 years, and (barring a historic comeback) the Yankees further than they’ve been in 15 years https://t.co/kI3WywG6sb

Randy Wilkins @pamssonJuan Soto has the greatest plate approach and plate discipline I’ve ever seen in a hitter. That is one of the greatest at bats I’ve ever witnessed. He fought off so many off speed pitches in a huge moment to hunt a fastball. Then he crushed it. Unbelievable given the context.

Cameron Maybin @CameronMaybinThere’s a such thing as a clutch gene, and Juan Soto was clearly born with with it!

Michael Kasdan @michaelkasdanJuan Soto is simply the best hitter I’ve ever seen. The combination of batting eye, all fields power, and clutch. Unreal. #RepBX

Aaron Rupar @atruparJuan Soto with an all timer of an at bat before that 3 run bomb off Gaddis. The way he intimidates and psyches out pitchers when he’s in the box is wild.

Jack “CouRage” Dunlop @CouRageJDThe Yankees need to pay Juan Soto $1,000,000,000.

Luke Weaver closed out the victory after Soto’s home run by retiring three straight Guardians batters in the bottom of the 10th. Soto then caught the final fly out to secure the AL pennant for the Yankees.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportTHE MOMENT THE YANKEES ADVANCED TO THE 2024 WORLD SERIES 👏 pic.twitter.com/J4fp312Qnd

Luke Grant @LukeGrant7Can we talk about the bounce back from Luke Weaver.

Good lord that was tough

Rick Farlow @FarlowRickPretty fitting for Soto to catch the game-ending fly out

Trouble started for the Guardians in the top of the 10th when shortstop Brayan Rocchio bobbled a potential out at second, allowing the Yankees to get a runner in scoring position.

Charlie Borges Jr @CharlieBorgesJrBrayan Rocchio single handedly sent the Yankees to the World Series. Three massive errors in the series.

Ferox @FeroxDTBrayan Rocchio this entire series pic.twitter.com/kfsCoBqbJC

The Guardians looked like they would have a chance to extend the championship series to six games early on Saturday night. Bo Naylor got the home team on the board first with an RBI double in the bottom of the second, and Steve Kwan doubled the lead with a scoring single in the fifth.

Then Giancarlo Stanton answered for the Yankees with a game-tying two-RBI home run in the sixth.

Stanton, who finished the series with four home runs and seven RBI, was named the ALCS MVP after the Game 5 win.

MLB @MLBGIANCARLO STANTON AGAIN! TIE GAME! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/tX2VqXuqVL

B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffGIANCARLO STANTON IS THE ALCS MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YaBlz3PmsE

Chippy McGarr @wyermushGiancarlo Stanton with the most deserved LCS MVP ever.

Zero criticism for the rest of his career, he’s bulletproof.

Gerry DeFilippo @Challenger_STGiancarlo Stanton is cementing himself as one of the most prolific power & clutch hitting hitters of this generation

First ballot HOF

Matteo @mchads_Giancarlo Stanton is a player we just have to cherish while they’re still in the game. Unbelievably clutch.

John @92In82If they win the whole thing, this will be a legacy run for Giancarlo Stanton. #RepBX

The Yankees are now headed to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, while Cleveland’s title drought will extend to a 76th year.

The Pinstripes will be playing either the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets as they battle for the 28th World Series title in franchise history. The Dodgers could secure a ticket to face them with a win at home on Sunday night, while a Mets victory would send the NLCS to a winner-takes-all Game 7.