When is Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 2? Date, time and statements

NEW YORK – Fresh off a 5-2 win in Game 1, the Yankees have a chance to take control of the ALCS from the Guardians before the series even lands in Cleveland later this week.

It’s now up to the Guardians to flip the script and even improve on this series after Monday’s opener showcased the Yankees’ offensive strengths. New York’s batters walked seven times in Game 1, while Cleveland’s lineup earned just one free pass in addition to 14 strikeouts. That formula won’t work, especially with the Yankees having a clear power advantage, but Game 2 starter Gerrit Cole knows the Guardians’ lineup can’t be taken lightly.

“José Ramírez is a perennial MVP candidate, Josh Naylor is a perennial bat at the top of the league. They hit a lot of hard shots,” Cole said. “They don’t run much. They put a lot of balls in play. They don’t strike often. You have a high quality of contact. They have done a lot. The running game is high. They have three guys that have 35-plus steal attempts, so it’s a lot of action and forces you to play a clean brand of baseball that they try to apply a lot of pressure on.”

These are the strengths the Guardians must return to if they want to bring the ALCS back to Progressive Field with a 1-1 tie. Against a stellar performance from Carlos Rodón in Game 1, the Guardians were never able to gain any sense of momentum.

“I think we are,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “We have to play baseball. We are a baseball team. We have to make things happen. Run, pennant, put the ball in play. We run the bases hard. We don’t assume that anything is over. That’s how we got here. We did it by putting pressure on the other team and that’s who we are.”

As these two teams meet in the postseason for the first time since 2017, the Yankees are seeking their first World Series appearance since 2009, while the Guardians are seeking their first appearance since 2016.

When does the game take place and how can I watch it?
Game 2 of the American League Championship Series is now airing on TBS, truTV and Max.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication with a participating pay-TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. Detailed information can be found here.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Guardian: Tanner Bibee is ready to take what he’s learned in his first two postseason starts and do even better in the ALCS. He said the adrenaline was high in Game 1 of the ALDS. In his second start, his nerves were shot, but his stuff wasn’t as sharp as the first time. Like he said, the third time is the charm. So far in the playoffs, Bibee has given up two runs in 8 2/3 innings. The only time he appeared against the Yankees was in his second career start, when he gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings in May 2023.

Yankees: Gerrit Cole gets the nod after pitching seven strong innings with one run and six hits in ALDS Game 4 in Kansas City. In nine postseason starts as a Yankee, Cole has gone 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He faced Cleveland once this season, on August 22 at Yankee Stadium, when Cole pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball to get the win.

What are the starting lineups?
Guardian: The Guardians stacked their lineup with six left-handers as well as switch-hitters José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio against the right-hander Cole, leaving Lane Thomas as the only right-hander.

Yankees: The Yankees’ lineup remained the same, with another right-hander on the mound in Bibee. After being struck out in the ninth inning of Game 1, Anthony Rizzo once again got the start at first base. Manager Aaron Boone simply felt that Rizzo was emotionally and physically exhausted after eight innings.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Guardian: If there was one positive from Cleveland’s Game 1 loss on Monday, it was the fact that the Big Four got a little more rest. For the first time this postseason, Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis and Emmanuel Clase all remained in the bullpen as the Guardians played from behind most of the night. Expect Cleveland’s biggest weapons to be used in Game 2.

Yankees: After the New York bullpen went 15 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run in the ALDS, they got stronger work in ALCS Game 1, although Tim Hill was charged with an earned run in the eighth inning. However, Clay Holmes (1 IP) and Luke Weaver (1 2/3 IP) again went scoreless, with Weaver recording his fourth save of the postseason. Look for Boone to use Weaver again in Game 2, even though he threw 24 pitches to get a five-out save.

Any notable injuries?
Guardian: Game 1 starter Alex Cobb was replaced on the ALCS roster by right-hander Ben Lively after he was diagnosed with an acute left lower back strain, meaning Cobb will be ineligible for the World Series if the Guardians advance. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman suffered a strained muscle during a practice this week and was left off the ALDS roster and removed from the ALCS roster.

Yankees: Left-hander Nestor Cortes (left elbow flexor strain) could face hitters later this week, making him a consideration for a potential World Series roster. Infielder DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) is also trying to be an option, and Boone noted he’s been moving better lately.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
Guardian: Rocchio has emerged as one of Cleveland’s most stalwart bats in October. With a goal in each of his first six playoff games, he now ties a franchise record for longest goal streak with Lonnie Chisenhall (2013-16) and Jhonny Peralta (2007) and begins a postseason career.

Yankees: Stanton’s seventh-inning home run in Game 1 was his second of the postseason and 13th of his career in postseason play. He is hitting .368 (7 for 19) with five RBIs this postseason. Torres has reached base safely in all five of the Yanks’ playoff games this year. Soto is 6 for 17 (.353) with a double, a home run, three RBIs and four walks in five playoff games as a Yankee. Judge is 2-for-15 (.133) with six walks and six strikeouts this postseason.

Is there anything else fans would like to know?