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Immediate reactions to the Cleveland Guardians dropping ALDS Game 1

By Kevin Devine |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a single against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 11, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a single against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 11, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians dropped Game 1 of the ALDS to the Yankees 4-1 on Tuesday night. Gerrit Cole earned the win, allowing just one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings, racking up eight strikeouts before turning the ball over to the Yankees bullpen, which closed the game out, allowing just two more hits.

Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill took the loss, giving up three earned runs on just four hits, but allowing three walks and two home runs in five innings. The Guardians bullpen continued its dominant stretch with three scoreless innings after Quantrill left the game.

While there are reasons for concern (such as the four runs Cleveland has scored in 33 postseason innings thus far), there were also some encouraging signs that point to this becoming an exciting series.

The Guardians Offense Showed Some Positive Signs Despite the Loss

The Guardians’ offense looked more like the team that has worn out pitchers and strung hits together this season. From the first at-bat when Steven Kwan laid off a tough two-strike slider, starting off a 24-pitch inning for Cole, the Guardians looked more comfortable at the plate than at any point in the wild-card series against the Ray, despite tallying just six hits.

Kwan’s night, going 2-for-4 with a home run in the top of the third (his first postseason hit), provides the Guardians hope moving forward. If they are going to come back in this series, they will need Kwan to provide a spark at the top of the lineup.

José Ramírez also went 2-for-3 with a walk. He looks to be locked in at the plate right now and can certainly put this team on his back. While the Yankees defense limited rallies, and Cole got big strikeouts in key spots, Cleveland has to be more encouraged that their style of offense can play at this stage in the season despite scoring just one run.

The Guardians Need to Limit the Long Ball

The Yankees scored more than 50% of their runs this season via the home run. Game 1 was no different, with Harrison Bader hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the third, and Anthony Rizzo hitting a two-run bomb after Aaron Judge drew a leadoff walk.

Quantrill was an optimal matchup for the Yankees in Game 1, as he pitches to contact more than any other pitcher they will face in this series. Game 2 and 3 starters Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie will likely present a tougher challenge for the Yankees, especially with their high strikeout totals and low batting average against this season. If Bieber and McKenzie can keep the ball in the yard, look for the Guardians to come back and make this a very interesting series.

2 Keys to Watch in Game 2

The Yankees will send left-hander Nestor Cortes to the mound in Game 2 Thursday night. The Guardians will need to overcome a season-long struggle against left-handed pitching in order to avoid going back to Cleveland down 2-0. Kwan will need to stay hot and get Ramírez to the plate with men on base.

Along with the new postseason schedule, which gives the Guardians and Yankees an off-day between Games 1 and 2, weather could play a big factor. With rain expected, if there are delays it could limit the length the teams are able to use their starting pitchers. If the game is postponed and played on the second off-day of the series on Friday, it will force them to play four days in a row, which could affect pitching matchups. Keep a close eye on the weather as Game 2 approaches.

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