The New York Yankees returned to Cleveland to face the Guardians in a series that, while reminiscent of last October's ALCS, showcased a different dynamic due to major roster changes. Both teams have revamped their lineups, with only a handful of players remaining from the previous showdown. The series began with Cleveland winning the first two games, but the Yankees salvaged some pride with a 5-1 victory in the final game.

Aaron Judge, despite a power outage, is competing for the batting title with a stellar average of .415 and impressive on-base skills. Teammate Paul Goldschmidt is also in the mix, hitting .383 but lacking home runs. The Guardians' bullpen issues have arisen with Emmanuel Clase struggling, raising questions about his role going forward. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton's slow recovery continues to loom over the Yankees, complicating roster decisions.