Yankees vs. Guardians ALCS: Game 3 Preview and Predictions
As the excitement builds in the baseball world, the 2024 American League Championship Series reaches a pivotal juncture with Game 3 set to unfold on Thursday, October 17. The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians have provided fans with electric performances thus far, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as the Yankees lead the series 2-0. This article will delve into the matchup, odds, and key player performances to watch.
Game Information
Matchup: New York Yankees (94-68, 50-31 Away) vs. Cleveland Guardians (92-69, 50-30 Home)
Series Status: NYY leads 2-0
Venue: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Game Time: 5:08 PM ET
How to Watch: TBS, truTV, Max
Probable Pitchers
New York Yankees: Clarke Schmidt
- Record: 1 start — 0-0, 3.86 ERA
- Clarke Schmidt has shown resilience this postseason, but his career postseason ERA of 6.43 raises questions about his consistency. The Yankees will need him to step up for a crucial Game 3.
Cleveland Guardians: Matthew Boyd
- Record: 2 starts — 0-0, 0.00 ERA
- Boyd has been exceptional, tossing 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. His ability to keep the Yankees’ powerful lineup at bay will be critical in this matchup.
Latest Odds and Betting Lines
Run Line
- New York Yankees -1.5 (+150)
- Cleveland Guardians +1.5 (-170)
Over/Under
- Over 7.5 Runs (+102)
- Under 7.5 Runs (-122)
Moneyline
- New York Yankees (-115)
- Cleveland Guardians (+105)
(Odds are subject to change and are sourced from BetOnline as of Thursday, Oct. 17 at 10:37 AM ET.)
Team Trends
New York Yankees
- The Yankees have displayed remarkable momentum, going 5-0 straight up in their last five games.
- They boast a dominant 4-0 SU record against the Guardians in their last four meetings, including a plus-4.8 average run margin.
Cleveland Guardians
- The Guardians have struggled against the Yankees, recording only a 2-8 SU record in their last ten encounters.
- Notably, the total has hit the Under in 13 of Cleveland’s last 17 home games, indicating difficulties scoring at Progressive Field.
Game 3 Predictions
With their recent performance, the Yankees appear poised to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2022. In Game 2, New York overpowered Cleveland with a 6-3 victory, led by Aaron Judge’s stellar performance, which featured his first home run of the postseason and three RBIs. The Yankees have demonstrated their offensive prowess throughout the postseason, making their case as a formidable contender.
Despite being the away team, the Yankees have thrived on the road recently, holding a 5-0 SU record in their last five road outings. Conversely, the Guardians’ vulnerability at home, having dropped three of their last five home games, could be a significant factor in this tightly contested series.
Bet Prediction
Considering the Yankees’ offensive firepower and the Guardians’ struggles against them, we predict New York will come out on top in Game 3. The Yankees are set to cover the run line, so placing a bet on Yankees -1.5 (+150) could yield favorable returns.
Player Prop to Watch
For a player prop bet, we recommend Gleyber Torres over 0.5 Runs + RBIs (-107). The two-time All-Star shortstop has proven to be a key player in the Yankees lineup, demonstrating consistency throughout the postseason, with a batting average of .292 and seven runs scored. Given his recent form and track record against the Guardians, this prop bet presents a strong opportunity for bettors.
Conclusion
As Game 3 unfolds, all eyes will be on Clarke Schmidt and Matthew Boyd as they aim to lead their teams to victory in this critical ALCS matchup. With the Yankees riding high on momentum and the Guardians looking to turn the tide at home, fans can expect a thrilling encounter at Progressive Field. Will the Yankees continue their dominance, or can the Guardians fight back? Only time will tell. Get ready for an intense evening of playoff baseball!
