Yankees advance to ALCS after eliminating the Guardians with 5-1 win in Game 5

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The NY Yankees won Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians with a score of 5-1 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. The win eliminated the Guardians and advanced the Yankees to the American League Championship Series, where they will take on the top-seeded Astros for the third time in the last six years.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge helped NY take the lead with early home runs, and Yankee manager Aaron Boone’s decision to start Nestor Cortes on three days’ rest over Jameson Taillon paid off after making the late switch after Monday night’s rain caused a postponement. Cortes dominated with three-hit ball for five innings for the win, with Jonathan Loaisiga, Clay Holmes and Wandy Peralta finishing the game with five-hit scoreless relief.  Unfortunately, NY may be heading to Houston without left fielder Aaron Hicks, who came out of the game after hurting his left knee in a third-inning collision with rookie shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera. Hicks headed to a hospital for an MRI after the game.

Game 1 of the ALCS takes place Wednesday night in Houston.  The Yankees will start pitcher Jameson Taillon, while Houston’s Justin Verlander will start for the Astros.

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