by Maybe not as we all imagined the game a gong. The Guardians dropped one game of the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees in a low-scoring, packed home contest.
Steven Kwan Has Bounce Back game
Let’s start with something positive. One optimistic thing to take away from the game was to see Stephen Kwan they have a bounce game. In the two games against the Rays in the ALWS, Kwan went hitless. Something extremely unusual for him.
With that in mind, seeing him go two-for-four was a welcome sight to behold. One of those hits was a solo home run Gerrit Cole which gave the Guardians their first lead at the time. Unfortunately, that was the only run the Guardians scored all game.
But Kwan can’t do it all. Other players need to step up.
Pitchers Handle Judge … For now
One of the big questions about the Guardians heading into this series was how they would approach it Aaron Judge. Whatever game plan they came up with worked as they attacked the referee head on.
Judge finished the night with three strikeouts and one walk. Two of those hits came from the starter, Cal Quantrilll, and the third came from James Karinchak.
Clearly, Judge is a fantastic player and will make adjustments to what he saw tonight. Guardians should be ready for this with some adjustments of their own for the second game.
Where is the offense?
Okay, let’s get into it. To say the offense was underwhelming tonight is probably a good way to put it. It all started well with extended at-bats that forced Cole’s pitch count to skyrocket. They then took the lead with a Kwan home run that seemed like a huge momentum swing. But after that, it was all downhill.
The Guardians ended the game with 18 runners on base. Let that sink in for a second, 18 base runners were stranded.
That included a bases-loaded inning in which they were unable to convert a single run. This is the playoffs, the ALDS, if you don’t take advantage of opportunities like that, you’re not going to win. That’s exactly what happened tonight.
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Now the Guardians have scored just four runs in their first three postseason games. All those who come from home run.
Even with everything left to be desired in Tuesday night’s loss, the Guardians remained competitive throughout the game. If they can make a few adjustments, game two could easily go Guardians’ way.
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Read more:
Home Run For Yankees Denis Josh Donaldson Weird Game
WATCH: Stephen Quan hits home run off Cole to give Rangers lead over Yankees
Cleveland Guardians Set Roster Playoff Vs. New York Yankees
Cal Quantrill talks about how the guards will set up Aaron Judge
Keepers have to do that against the Yankees in the ALDS
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