Guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase gave up just two home runs the entire 2024 regular season.
The Yankees matched that number in just one inning to stun the Cleveland crowd at Progressive Field in Game 3 of the ALCS on Thursday.
The deadly New York duo of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton proved why the Yankees have been dubbed the Bronx Bombers, smashing back-to-back home runs in the top of eighth inning off Clase. Judge's monstrous two-run shot tied the contest at 3-3, but Stanton gave the Yankees their first lead of the night with a blast to center field off the dominant ace.
Judge broke out of his October slump last time out, sending a two-run blast into the right field bleachers in the seventh inning of Game 2. It helped the Yankees extend the lead late en route to a 6-2 win and a 2-0 ALCS series lead.
Meanwhile, Stanton continued showcasing his power in the postseason. His go-ahead homer off Clase was his third of the 2024 playoffs, as the giant right-handed batter continues to be a force at clean-up for the Yankees.
On the Cleveland side, the home runs continue a streak of recent struggles for Clase. The right-hander was a force to be reckoned with in the regular season, but that magic has not appeared this time of the year. In the ALDS, he allowed a go-ahead, three-run home run to Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter in the ninth inning of Game 2, and now, he's given up the two long shots to the New York sluggers to blow Game 3 of the ALCS.
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Judge has not historically performed well in the playoffs, and those struggles have continued into 2024. He batted .154 against Kansas City in the ALDS, adding to his .206 batting average for his career.
Stanton has been an absolute beast in postseason play in 2024. The Yankees star batted .375 in the ALDS, accounting for four RBIs in the four games against the Royals.
In his career, he is a .269 batter in the postseason, with 13 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Clase was practically unhittable in 2024. The Cleveland closer gave up just five earned runs all regular season long, including just two runs, in 74 outings. His 47 saves led the majors for the third year in a row, and he should be included in Cy Young voting.
However, it's been a different Clase in the postseason. He's up to three home runs allowed in October and has been responsible for six earned runs.
In his career, Clase does not have extensive experience in the postseason. The Dominican hurler entered the 2024 playoffs with just four career appearances in postseason play.