‘All the emotions’: Guardians top Yanks in wild G3
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Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Staff Writer
CLEVELAND — An hour after the Cleveland Guardians saved a season that was on the brink of doom, the massive scoreboard above the left-field bleachers still flashed with the words “Guardians win!”
That much was indisputable, even though, in a number of ways, so much of what happened seemed all but impossible.
“All the emotions, ups and downs, back and forth, you name it,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “If there’s an emotion, we all felt it on both sides.”
The bottom line is this: The Guardians beat the Yankees 7-5 in 10 innings Thursday, cutting New York’s lead in the American League Championship Series to 2-1.
But in a game like that, the bottom line barely says anything. Not after a game with so many late, wild swings of momentum that it is hard to remember that, for 7⅓ innings, it looked very much like a straight-forward, low-scoring Cleveland win that followed the script the AL Central champs have followed all season.
That script ends with the same scene every time. The Guardians scratch out a lead for their deep, MLB-best bullpen. The show ends with Emmanuel Clase striking someone out for yet another save. With Cleveland leading 3-1 and two down in the eighth Thursday, New York’s Juan Soto walked in front of the game’s preeminent slugger, Aaron Judge, so Vogt did what he did all year — summon Clase.
Clase, a Cy Young candidate who recorded 47 saves with a minuscule 0.61 ERA during the season, has become so consistently dominant that his teammates almost take for granted that he is going to get the job done.
“There’s not enough adjectives to talk about how good he was this season,” Cleveland designated hitter David Fry said. “He had to have set records for just about everything you can do as a closer. You just hand him the ball, and we don’t even watch the game. I feel like we are chatting up because we know the game is over.”
But this one was not over.
Judge clubbed a 99 mph cutter, Clase’s signature pitch, located on the outer edge of the strike zone, and drilled a slicing liner that cleared the right-field wall to tie the game. Judge hit 58 homers during the season and is the AL single-season home run champ, and yet for him to hit that pitch off that pitcher was shocking.
“I think there’s one person that could hit that pitch off Emmanuel Clase out of the yard, and he did,” Vogt said. “As a baseball fan, it was really cool. As the opposing manager, it was not.”
Judge maintained he wasn’t trying to take Clase deep. Oops.
“I was just trying to get on base with a little single to right, especially with [Giancarlo] Stanton behind me,” Judge said. “When you got a guy like that’s throwing 102 miles an hour cutting, with a good feel for the slider, just try not to do too much. Try to put the ball in play and see what happens.”
The uncanny realities continued. Clase threw a slider that hung in the middle of the plate to Stanton, who launched it over the center-field wall for a go-ahead blast. That was two homers for back-to-back Yankees sluggers off a pitcher who gave up two homers during the regular season.
“That guy is an all-world closer,” said Cleveland starter Matthew Boyd, who threw five sharp innings before the game went haywire. “He has the ball every single time with the game on the line, and I’m going to take him over whoever is in the [batter’s] box every single time. Our whole club feels the same way. That guy is amazing.”
The Yankees tacked on a run in the ninth, so New York closer Luke Weaver had a two-run edge to work with as he sought to get the final three outs and put the Bombers into a commanding three games to zero advantage in the series.
Weaver has been perhaps the one reliever in the AL as hot as Clase during the stretch run. After the stunning turnaround and the faltering of Clase, one of baseball’s few apparent certainties, Cleveland might have been expected to go meekly.
Instead, in part because the pitcher who has dominated for them so many times this season met with disappointment, the Guardians remained intent to pick up their teammate.
“We were obviously shook, but it was just like, you know what, it’s time we give him a break,” Fry said. “He carried our team all year long in the ninth inning, and it’s our time to pick him up. I’m glad we did.”
So were most of a suddenly raucous crowd that watched as Cleveland turned the tables on Weaver and the Yankees, almost as stunning and unlikely as the homers given up by Clase. With two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth, Lane Thomas doubled off the left-field wall to keep the game alive.
Still, Weaver had that two-run lead and needed just one final out. Vogt sent up a rookie to face him, powerfully built 23-year-old Jhonkensy Noel, whose first season has featured prodigious homers — 13 of them — and prolonged struggles as he seeks to establish himself at the big league level.
In choosing Noel in that moment, Vogt had one thing in mind.
“I mean, he pinch hit to hit a homer,” Vogt said. “That’s why we sent him up there.”
As for Noel, he said via a club interpreter, “He didn’t say anything explicitly, but I know every time I get my name called up it’s because they believe in me and they trust me. That’s something they’ve done the whole year.”
Consider it trust well rewarded. Noel sent a poorly located changeup into the bleachers in left field, a section that would see even more drama a little later. Noel walked leisurely toward first base after making contact, fully aware of what had just happened on that swing. Game tied. Progressive Field erupted in the throes of mayhem.
“It’s nothing special,” Noel said, modestly referring to the sensation of striking the ball in that spot. “It’s the same sensation in a regular game, and you have to have the same approach.”
Weaver entered the game with a 1.29 ERA and four saves during his first six appearances, having solidified a Yankees bullpen that was in flux for much of the campaign. He doesn’t have Clase’s lengthy track record of dominance but he has been so consistent for the Yankees of late that his faltering was very similar on the surprise meter as that of Clase.
“Just really felt like I let the team down there, myself down,” Weaver said. “It’s baseball. Things like that happen. A twist of an arm, and it just feels a little devastating.”
Noel’s blow evened the score at five and pushed the contest to extra innings. Both teams had exhausted their top relievers and endured gut-wrenching homers. Cleveland reliever Pedro Avila worked a scoreless top of the 10th, a sequence that included a strikeout of Judge.
That set the moment for a budding postseason legend in Cleveland, Fry, who earned an AL All-Star slot this season as a utility player. Fry had one huge October moment under his belt already, coming off the bench and hitting a two-run go-ahead homer in Cleveland’s Game 4 ALDS win against Detroit.
With Bo Naylor on third base, Fry launched another ball into those same left-field bleachers, ending the game with a two-run shot off the Yankees’ Clay Holmes, another AL All-Star selection. That completed the Guardians’ merry-go-round, from the security of Clase’s entrance, to the despair of his blown save, to the season-saving rookie blast, to a win that puts Cleveland right back in the series.
“At that point I blacked out,” Fry said. “No clue. I remember being like halfway down the first baseline looking back at the dugout and looking and saying, ‘All right, I just have to make sure I touch all four bases and get home and celebrate.'”
With Fry’s homer, there could be no more turnarounds on a night full of them. The Yankees stalked off the field, the Guardians danced their way back to their clubhouse, the throng cheered well after the final homer and the scoreboard flashed red with “Guardians win!” well into the Cleveland night.
Clase departed quickly after the game, leaving his teammates and manager behind to celebrate on his behalf, perhaps a fitting dynamic on a night when they did for him what Clase did for them so often this season.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” Vogt said. “That’s exactly who we are. We never quit. We get punched in the teeth pretty hard there in the eighth, and our guys stepped up huge for the guy that carried us all year long. That was really fun to see.”
There are some who saw what the Carolina Hurricanes did at the trade deadline — or perhaps failed to do after they traded Mikko Rantanen — and believe they’re cooked when it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, based on the projections from Stathletes, the Canes remain the team with the highest chances of winning the Cup, at 16.7%.
Standing before them on Sunday are the Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Jets had a relatively quiet deadline, adding Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, though sometimes these additions are the types of small tweaks that can push a contender over the edge. As it stands, the Jets enter their showdown against the Canes with the sixth-highest Cup chances, at 8.7%.
Carolina has made two trips to the Cup Final: a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2002 and a win over the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Canes have reached the conference finals three times since (2009, 2019, 2023). Winnipeg has yet to make the Cup Final, and was defeated 4-1 in the 2018 Western Conference finals by the Vegas Golden Knights in the club’s lone trip to the penultimate stage.
Both clubs are due. Will this be their year?
There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season on April 17, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide detail on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
Saturday’s scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, New York Rangers 3 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Florida Panthers 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Colorado Avalanche 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 1, Montreal Canadiens 0
Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, Dallas Stars 4
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.3%
Tragic number: 37
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 19.8%
Tragic number: 37
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 33
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 27
Metro Division
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 86.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89.9
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 27.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 88.5
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.1%
Tragic number: 39
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 29.7%
Tragic number: 38
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 79.4
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 9.5%
Tragic number: 31
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.1
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 25
Central Division
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 98.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 37.2%
Tragic number: 34
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 26.4%
Tragic number: 35
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 62.8
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16
Pacific Division
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 21
Points pace: 98.1
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 27.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 40
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 80.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 32
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74.3
Next game: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
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