‘No lead is safe’: Yanks rally, take control of ALCS
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Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
CLEVELAND — The one lesson Giancarlo Stanton has taken from the past two nights of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field — a chaotic, thrilling, mind-blowing concoction of postseason theater distilled to its most intoxicating form — is simple.
“No lead is safe,” Stanton said.
Duplicating the nauseating drama that was Game 3 was seemingly impossible, but Friday’s Game 4 produced another wild ride, though with a different result.
This time, the New York Yankees, 24 hours after an excruciating body blow of a loss, outlasted the Guardians 8-6 after squandering a four-run advantage and battering Cleveland’s two historically dominant relievers in another classic to take a 3-1 series lead. They can clinch their first World Series appearance since 2009 with a win Saturday in Game 5.
“It feels like nothing until we get it done,” Stanton said. “As far as I’m concerned, we haven’t done nothing.”
Stanton played a starring role in Game 3 as part of the one-two punch that stunned Emmanuel Clase, baseball’s best closer, with two outs in the eighth inning. First Aaron Judge lasered a tying two-run homer. Then Stanton hammered the go-ahead blast. It was the first time Clase had given up multiple home runs in a game in his career.
The outburst, despite coming in a loss, bred confidence in the Yankees. They saw Clase wasn’t invincible. They toppled him and believed they could topple him again.
“That’s going to give you confidence one through nine for the next day and the next day after that,” said Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who homered off Guardians starter Gavin Williams after not reaching base in his previous 21 plate appearances. “It just shows that he can be beat and that it can be just not one guy, it can be multiple guys.”
In the ninth inning Friday, with the score tied at 6, that assurance translated to another round of success against a man who allowed runs in consecutive outings just once in 74 regular-season appearances. The second knockdown commenced with a leadoff single from Anthony Rizzo. Anthony Volpe then lined a single to center field to advance Jon Berti, pinch-running for Rizzo, to third base.
With Wells at the plate, Volpe stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Clase was staggering again. The Yankees needed to land another blow. It came via a 44 mph chopper off Alex Verdugo‘s bat. Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, drawn in to cut down the potential tying run at home, appeared to have decided to let Berti score to secure the out at first base, but he didn’t field the ball cleanly. Berti scored, and everybody was safe.
Four pitches later, Gleyber Torres deposited an RBI single to center field to pad the Yankees’ lead and leave the sellout crowd stunned, wondering what happened to the closer who had been so great for so long.
“I’m not losing my confidence,” Clase said in Spanish. “I’m going to give my best. [But] it’s something that I’m surprised about, what’s happening.”
After surrendering five runs during the regular season, Clase has been charged with four over the past two nights.
“Not being scared, not being intimidated, just going in there with the right proper plan,” Stanton said. “It’s going to be a tough at-bat, we know that, but this game is tough and we need runs.”
Stanton didn’t face Clase on Thursday. Instead, he solved the Guardians’ other superb bullpen arm. Cade Smith, a right-handed rookie sensation, had given up one home run in 81 appearances, playoffs included, in 2024. No. 2, despite some struggles, didn’t appear imminent in the sixth inning, not after Smith got ahead of Stanton 0-2 with runners on second and third base.
But Stanton, like Thursday against Clase, did not concede the at-bat. Two pitches later, he blasted a 94 mph fastball 404 feet to the bleachers beyond the tall wall in left field.
It was Stanton’s 15th career playoff home run, tying Judge and Babe Ruth for fourth most in Yankees postseason history. He has hit four of them in these playoffs, fueling the Yankees’ offense when it needed it most.
“He did it again,” Boone said. “I mean, just to get to two strikes there and get to one — looked like almost a letter-high heater maybe and just smooth as — just special. Just locked in, prepared. His preparation and his ability to just lock in and focus is impressive.”
Stanton’s latest postseason moment gave the Yankees a four-run cushion. They needed every run because the Guardians, like they did in Game 3, responded again.
On Friday, they tallied a three-run seventh inning against Jake Cousins and Clay Holmes to pull within a run. The blitz was powered by run-scoring doubles from Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor off Holmes, who stumbled again after surrendering the walk-off home run to David Fry in Game 3.
“It feels like nothing until we get it done. As far as I’m concerned, we haven’t done nothing.”
Giancarlo Stanton on how it feels to be this close to the World Series, the Yankees’ first since 2009
By that point, Boone wasn’t sure how he would deploy his taxed bullpen to secure the remaining outs. He entered the night steadfast on not using Luke Weaver, who had pitched in the first three games of the series and faltered in Game 3.
So with one out in the seventh inning, Boone gave the ball to Mark Leiter Jr., who was added to the Yankees’ roster as an injury substitution before the game and hadn’t pitched since Sept. 29.
Leiter delivered, getting Jhonkensy Noel, Cleveland’s other Game 3 star, to fly out deep to left field before striking out André Giménez to extinguish the threat.
“Booney kept telling me, ‘Be ready for anything,’ and there was a chance I was going to be used to get big outs,” Leiter said.
The eighth inning began with a leadoff double from Bo Naylor, who advanced to third base on Brayan Rocchio‘s groundout before scoring on another messy play. Fry hit a 40.3 mph squibber to Leiter’s left. Leiter tried snagging the ball on the run but booted it. The ball bounced away before Leiter bare-handed it and flipped it to Rizzo at first base. The flip beat Fry, but it handcuffed Rizzo, who didn’t catch it, allowing Rocchio to score the tying run.
A half-inning later, the Yankees accomplished what seemed all but impossible entering October. Clase’s armor was dented in the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers when he gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Kerry Carpenter in the ninth inning of Game 2 and yielded another run in Game 4 three days later.
But four runs on six hits over two nights? At home? What the Yankees have done against Clase is another level. And what they did Friday has them within a win of their first trip to the World Series in 15 years.
“It’s a wave,” Stanton said. “It’s a roller coaster.”
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
EDMONTON, Alberta — Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz was hit by a puck shot by Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique and left the ice with a towel pressed against his bloody face Saturday night.
Hintz extended his stick toward Henrique, whose wrist shot sent the puck under Hintz’s visor during his club’s 5-4 loss to the Oilers. He was on the ice, with his face in a towel, as the team’s medical staff assessed him and helped him skate toward the dressing room.
After the loss, Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said Hintz was at a local hospital, receiving tests. The coach added that the initial report was fairly optimistic for Hintz, 28, who has 25 goals and 52 points.
“Everyone’s optimistic that it’s not ‘serious, serious,'” DeBoer said. “But we won’t know until we get testing.”
The short-handed Stars rallied from a 5-1 deficit before eventually losing. Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist in his debut for Dallas, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn and Matt Dumba also scored for the Stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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