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The MLB postseason for 2024 carries on Monday with two Game 2 matchups in the American League Division Series: the Cleveland Guardians face off against the Detroit Tigers in an afternoon game at Progressive Field, followed by the Kansas City Royals taking on the New York Yankees in the evening at Yankee Stadium. Both the Guardians and Yankees emerged victorious in Game 1, leading the series 1-0 in the best-of-five format.
Since the introduction of divisional play in 1995, the team that wins Game 1 has triumphed in 84 out of 116 best-of-five postseason series, amounting to a win rate of 72%. The tension heightens on Monday night, as the Tigers and Royals cannot afford to fall behind 0-2 to the Yankees and Guardians, who concluded the regular season with the two best records in the American League. Although Game 2 isn’t an outright necessity for Detroit and Kansas City, it’s undeniably close to it.
With that context, here’s a crucial question for each team as they head into Game 2 of the ALDS on Monday.
Yankees: Will Judge break his postseason slump?
Aaron Judge, the strong favorite for the AL MVP, went 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts in Game 1, which, in a way, offers a silver lining. Despite Judge’s struggles at the plate and Gerrit Cole’s less-than-stellar performance (four runs over five innings), the Yankees still secured a victory. Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto each reached base three times, Alex Verdugo notched the game-winning hit, and demoted closer Clay Holmes secured five key outs during the middle innings. The rest of the Yankees rallied behind their captain.
That said, for the Yankees to achieve their ultimate aim—a parade down the Canyon of Heroes—they need Aaron Judge to play at his peak. Throughout the regular season, Judge has fanned in eight of his last ten plate appearances, although he had previously enjoyed a five-game home run streak. After clinching the AL East, the Yankees chose to give Judge a rest in two games during the final series of the regular season, and with a Wild Card Series bye, he has played just two times over the last ten days.
Perhaps Game 1 was merely Judge’s opportunity to shake off the rust. However, his postseason statistics are less than impressive—.206/.307/.451 with 13 home runs and 69 strikeouts across 45 games—which, while not terrible, fails to match the prowess he displays during the regular season. The Yankees are eager for their franchise player to deliver a standout performance this October. In Game 2, they will rely on Judge to make an impact against Royals starter Cole Ragans, one of the leading left-handed pitchers in the game today.
This season, the Yankees struggled against left-handed starters, finishing with a record of 21-23, despite Soto performing well against southpaws and Judge being an outstanding hitter against such pitchers. Here’s how Judge fared among the 95 hitters with at least 150 plate appearances against lefties:
- Batting average: .311 (12th overall; Jose Altuve ranked first at .370)
- On-base percentage: .505 (1st overall; David Fry ranked second at .430)
- Slugging percentage: .725 (2nd overall; Tyler O’Neill ranked first at .750)
- Home runs: 16 (“`html
During the regular season, the starters will face left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón in Game 2. Rodón concluded the regular campaign on a high note, achieving a 2.91 ERA and striking out 30.0% of the batters he faced across 12 second-half starts.
Kansas City’s offense was surprisingly ineffective against left-handed pitchers this season. This is particularly striking given their lineup, which features Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez—two right-handed hitters known for their substantial power. Here’s how the Royals performed against lefty pitchers among all 30 teams in 2024:
- Batting average: .243 (17th)
- On-base percentage: .293 (28th)
- Slugging percentage: .379 (23rd)
- Home runs: 33 (25th)
Perez accounted for nine of those 33 home runs, while Witt contributed four. Remarkably, the Royals underperformed even more against lefties in September, posting a line of .163/.214/.226. This situation persisted despite the acquisitions of veteran right-handed hitters Tommy Pham and Yuli Gurriel just before the August 31 eligibility deadline for the postseason roster. Despite their impressive performance in 2024, the Royals were vulnerable to southpaws.
Rodón is known for being susceptible to home runs, having surrendered 31 this year, including roughly one every five innings at Yankee Stadium—where Game 2 will take place. Typically, home runs are how he is most often scored against. Rodón tends to avoid walks and generally limits base hits. Thus, the most effective strategy against him involves capitalizing on home runs, and aside from Perez and Witt, the Royals lack the capability to consistently execute this against left-handed pitchers. On paper, Rodón presents a challenging matchup for Kansas City.
In order to level the ALDS at one win each, the Royals must rely heavily on a strong performance from Ragans. Additionally, they need to devise a strategy to generate runs against Rodón. They must resolve the issues that have plagued them all season against left-handed pitchers and significantly improve their performance against Rodón in Game 2 compared to their struggles against southpaws in September.
Guardians: Can Boyd Match Skubal?
Recognizing the need for greater depth in their rotation midway through the season, the Guardians acquired two pitchers who had spent the first portion of the year on the injured list: Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb. Cobb joined from the San Francisco Giants via a deadline trade, making three starts for Cleveland during a stretch hindered by additional injuries. He is currently healthy and included on the ALDS roster.
Boyd, on the other hand, signed with the Guardians as a free agent on June 29, as he was nearing the conclusion of his rehab following Tommy John surgery. He made his debut on August 13, boasting a 2.72 ERA while striking out 27.7% of the batters he encountered over eight starts as the season progressed. Boyd is set to start Game 2 on Monday, opposing Tarik Skubal, who is likely to win the AL Cy Young and is a close friend from their time together in Detroit.
“He invited me over for my first dinner in the big leagues because of COVID restrictions that prevented us from dining out, and we were probably not permitted to enter each other’s rooms,” Skubal reflected on Saturday. “He hosted a dinner for us. He’s an exceptional mentor and leader. We maintain a close relationship even now. He and his
He has not encountered the Tigers during the regular season, and the only player from the Tigers who has previously faced Boyd is Riley Greene. Boyd will have the advantage of surprise as he aims to outplay his friend.
Tigers: Will the offense have a breakout game?
No team was as hot at the conclusion of the regular season as the Tigers, who achieved 31 victories in their last 44 games to qualify for the postseason as the third wild-card team. This success was largely due to their strong run prevention. Detroit permitted only 134 runs over those 44 games, averaging 3.05 runs allowed per game. In 21 of those 44 games, they restricted their opponents to two runs or fewer. The Tigers showcased themselves as a run-prevention powerhouse in the final stretch.
However, the offense performed only adequately. During those 44 games, the Tigers amassed 196 runs, averaging 4.45 runs per game, which was nearly aligned with the league average. They scored three or fewer runs in 19 of those games. The team relied on Skubal, utilized bullpen strategies, and leaned on an unexpectedly strong defense to generate just enough runs for victory. Their two-game Wild Card Series sweep of the Houston Astros was a continuation of this trend:
- Game 1: DET 3, HOU 1 (all three runs resulted from three consecutive singles in the second inning)
- Game 2: DET 5, HOU 2 (three of the five runs resulted from Andy Ibáñez’s bases-clearing double in the eighth)
In Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, the Tigers were blanked by Tanner Bibee and the Cleveland bullpen. Throughout three postseason games, Detroit has scored a total of eight runs, including a three-run inning in Game 1 and a four-run inning in Game 2 against the Astros. They have played 27 innings on offense, scoring in only three of them. The Tigers have made it this far thanks to timely hitting, which is commendable. Yet, the absence of timely hits has eliminated many teams already. At some point, the offense must break through.
Greene, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, and Matt Vierling have combined for 5 hits in 42 at-bats (.119) with 20 strikeouts this postseason, which is quite dismal. On the other hand, Ibáñez (2 for 4 with two doubles), Parker Meadows (3 for 12 with Detroit’s sole homer), and Zach McKinstry (2 for 5 with two doubles) have emerged as the bright spots offensively. Importantly, Greene is the only Tigers hitter who has faced Boyd in the past. The Tigers require their offense to deliver a breakout performance, particularly against a pitcher with whom they have limited familiarity.
American League Division Series Game 2 Preview: Key Questions for the Guardians, Tigers, Royals, and Yankees
Overview of the American League Division Series
The American League Division Series (ALDS) is heating up as the Yankees prepare to face the Royals and the Guardians take on the Tigers. With so much at stake, Game 2 promises to be crucial for all four teams. This article examines key questions surrounding each team’s strategy, player performances, and potential outcomes for this pivotal matchup.
Key Questions for Each Team
1. Cleveland Guardians: Can They Capitalize on Momentum?
The Guardians have shown resilience throughout the season, but will they be able to carry this into Game 2?
- Who will start on the mound? The pitching rotation is critical, and fans are eager to know if the Guardians will stick with their ace or opt for a surprise starter.
- How will the offense perform? The Guardians need to maintain their scoring from previous games. Key players like José Ramírez must step up to drive in runs.
- Can they handle the pressure? Playoff nerves can be intense. How will the younger players handle the stress of a crucial game?
2. Detroit Tigers: Are They Ready to Fight Back?
The Tigers enter Game 2 with a chance to even the series. Here are some pivotal questions:
- How will the batting lineup adjust? Adjustments against the Guardians’ pitching are essential. Will they employ a more aggressive approach?
- Can the bullpen hold up? The Tigers’ bullpen has been shaky at times. Which relievers will be trusted in high-pressure situations?
- Will their defense hold strong? Defensive errors can be costly in the playoffs. How will the Tigers ensure they make the routine plays?
3. Kansas City Royals: Can They Stun the Yankees?
The Royals are seen as underdogs in this matchup. Here’s what to consider:
- What’s the game plan against the Yankees’ power hitters? The Yankees boast a formidable batting lineup. How will the Royals’ pitching staff strategize against them?
- Who will be the breakout player? Every postseason has its surprises. Which Royal is poised to make an unexpected impact?
- How will they handle Yankee Stadium? Playing in a hostile environment can be challenging. What strategies will they employ to stay focused?
4. New York Yankees: Can They Maintain Their Dominance?
The Yankees are looking to assert their authority in this series. Key questions include:
- How will their starting pitcher perform? The Yankees need a strong outing from their starter to set the tone for the game. Who will take the mound?
- Can they exploit weaknesses in the Royals’ defense? The Yankees are known for their aggressive baserunning. Will they capitalize on any defensive lapses?
- What’s the status of key players? Injuries can change the dynamics of the game. Are there any concerns regarding player health heading into Game 2?
Matchup Statistics
Team Wins Losses Playoff Experience Cleveland Guardians 92 70 Moderate Detroit Tigers 88 74 Low Kansas City Royals 81 81 High New York Yankees 99 63 Very High Player Performances to Watch
Individual performances can shift the series. Here are some players to keep an eye on:
Cleveland Guardians
- José Ramírez – A key offensive player whose performance could dictate the Guardians’ success.
- Shane Bieber – His pitching could be a determining factor in securing a win.
Detroit Tigers
- Spencer Torkelson – The young slugger has the potential to change the game with one swing.
- Eduardo Rodríguez – His experience on the mound will be crucial for the Tigers.
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr. – His speed and power will be vital against the Yankees.
- Brady Singer – He needs to deliver a strong performance to keep the Royals competitive.
New York Yankees
- Aaron Judge - As a power hitter, he can change the game with a single at-bat.
- Gerrit Cole - His ability to control the game on the mound could lead the Yankees to victory.
Benefits of Following the ALDS
For baseball fans, understanding the dynamics of the ALDS can enhance the viewing experience:
- Increased excitement: The stakes are high, making every game thrilling.
- Player development: Watching young talent emerge can be rewarding.
- Strategic insights: Analyzing team strategies deepens appreciation for the sport.
Practical Tips for Watching the Game
- Stay updated: Follow team news and player stats leading up to the game.
- Engage with fellow fans: Join discussions on social media platforms or fan forums.
- Prepare for game day: Set up your viewing area with snacks and drinks to enjoy the action.
Conclusion
As the Guardians, Tigers, Royals, and Yankees prepare for Game 2 of the ALDS, the excitement continues to build. Key questions and considerations will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the outcome of this crucial matchup.
