Game four of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians showcased the age-old battle between long and small ball baseball. Right off the bat, the Yankees showed off their ability to hit the long ball, as Juan Soto blasted a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning. The Guardians responded in the bottom of the first from a sacrifice fly by their Dominican superstar José Ramírez, scoring Steve Kwan.
SOTOOOOOOO the #Yankees get out to an early lead!! 🇩🇴🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/vPWIzh15Sn
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) October 19, 2024
In the top of the second inning, the Yankees rookie catcher, Austin Wells, continued the long ball trend for the Bronx Bombers. His solo home run expanded the lead for the Yankees, making it a 3-1 game after the second inning.
AUSTIN WELLS POWERS HIS FIRST HOMER OF THE POST SEASON FOR THE #YANKEES!! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UyU8B3LLpX
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) October 19, 2024
The Guardians continued to play small ball in the third inning. The Canadian first baseman, Josh Naylor, hit an RBI single, scoring Steven Kwan for the second time in this game.
In the top of the sixth inning, Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run home run, extending the Yankees lead to 6-2. This was the Yankees third home run of the game and took the life out of Progressive Field.
BIG G DOES IT AGAIN!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/QGMRzLFBSv
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) October 19, 2024
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Guardians continued to play successful small ball. José Ramírez hit an RBI double to right field, scoring the Venezuelan shortstop Brayan Rocchio. In the Next at-bat, Josh Naylor hit a two-RBI double, narrowing the Yankees’ lead to just one. At the end of the seventh inning, the Guardians trailed 6-5.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Guardians tied the game up with an infield single by Josh Naylor. Heading into the ninth inning, the game was tied 6-6.
In the top of the ninth, the Yankees regained their lead. The Yankees scored without the long ball for the first time all game. Jon Berti scored on an infield error by Brayan Rocchio. Following the fielding error, Gleyber Torres hit an RBI single, scoring Alex Verdugo, giving the Yankees a two-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth.
There is a constant debate between general managers and statisticians on which offensive tactic is most effective: relying on the long ball or playing small ball. In this game, the Yankees won a crucial playoff game by blasting three home runs and playing critical small ball in the ninth inning.
Clearly, the long ball was crucial in game four of the ALCS. Although it is hard to determine whether one strategy is better than the other, being able to hit the long ball and play timely small ball was the catalyst for the Yankees game four victory. The Yankees won the game 8-6 and lead the series 3-1, hoping to close out the series in the final game at Progressive Field.
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Photo Credit: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees celebrates a home run with teammates during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Three of the ALCS at Progressive Field on October 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
