The Cleveland Guardians dropped game 1 against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series by a score of 5-2.
After falling behind early, the Guardians were unable to find the offense to make a comeback in the game.
Game 2 will take place on Tuesday, and it is a highly important game for the Guardians before they head back home for game 3 on Thursday.
Chris Russo and Jeff Francoeur discussed the key factors for the Guardians in game 2.
“The first way you got to go about beating a favorite, is you got to scare them,” Russo said.
What are the key factors for the Guardians tonight as they try to even up the ALCS at Yankee Stadium?
Jeff Francoeur joins #HighHeat ahead of Game 2 to preview the pitching matchup, Luke Weaver's emergence as a shutdown closer and much more.@MadDogUnleashed | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/uUNuizmJPe
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 15, 2024
Russo points out that the Yankees have owned the American League Central as a whole, not only in the postseason but the regular season as well.
The Yankees have won 6 straight postseason series against the American League Central, and they don’t appear scared of the Guardians at all.
Francoeur explains that he thinks the 3 and 4 hitters for the Guardians will be the key in game 2.
Jose Ramirez bats 3rd for the Guardians, and he has 3 hits in 20 at-bats thus far in the postseason.
Josh Naylor bats 4th for the Guardians, and he has 4 hits in 24 at-bats thus far in the postseason.
These 2 hitters will need to get things going if the Guardians want to have a chance in game 2 against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.
Leadoff hitter Steven Kwan does a great job of getting on base, and the Guardians need Ramirez and Naylor to come up with a big hit early to put the pressure on the Yankees.
NEXT: Radio Host Calls For Fans To Relax After Guardians' Game 1 ALCS Loss
