This October of playoff baseball has been special. There has been numerous moments where it makes your jaw drop is amazement. Also, there have been numerous good games making you want more. One of those games was Game 3 of the ALCS between the Guardians and the Yankees.

An Instant Classic in Cleveland

This game had everything you could want. It had the highs, lows, anticipation, and excitement. It truly became one of those baseball games that you could happily go back and rewatch.

The Guardians enjoyed home cooking and built up a 3-1 lead. Emmanuel Clase, who was without hesitation the best closer in baseball came into the game. You feel good when he’s on the mound and rightfully so. During the regular season, he had a 0.61 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP making him untouchable. Not so fast. He’s been quite touchable this postseason and certainly this game. In the regular season, he allowed five earned runs total. In the postseason it’s gone up to six.

Clase went on to give up back to back home runs that helped give the Yankees the lead. First was a perfectly painted pitch by Clase that Judge got a hold of. Stanton just launched an absolute nuke, adding to what’s been a great postseason for the slugger. But here come the Guardians.

This is what made this game electric. The game is 5-3 Yankees and like the Guardians, Luke Weaver has been a great closer for the Yankees. Christmas came early and at the most opportune time, as “Big Christmas” Jhonkensy Noel launched a two run home run to tie the game.

Extra innings offered some great baseball. Josh Naylor made a remarkable play at first base to secure the out and then here comes the moment of the night. David Fry sent Cleveland into a frenzy with a walk off home run to make it 6-5 and cut the series lead to 2-1. This game was an instant classic, right up there with the Mets and Phillies Game 2 of the NLDS.

Aaron Boone didn’t shy away from discussing how great of a tilt this was.

“Sucks losing that obviously, but kind of a classic game”. And it was.

The Yankees losing is tough, but not the end of the world. They certainly bounced back, winning Game 4 and taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. However, they really could do the funniest thing ever.

History Repeating Itself?

The year is 2024. The Yankees had a 2-0 lead over the Guardians and it is now 3-1, which is great since they are one win away from the World Series. The Guardians are three wins away from completing the comeback. Where have we seen this story before? 20 years ago.

The Yankees held a 3-0 lead against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. On October 17, 2004 Dave Roberts stealing second base helped set up the Red Sox tying run. Inevitably, David Ortiz hit the walk off hit in extra innings and the rest is history. The spark of a comeback was in the makings. What’s more ironic, David Fry hit the wall off home run on October 17, 2024 (the same day as the Roberts steal) making him another David that’s ruined a Yankees victory.

The Red Sox comeback against the Yankees is arguably one of the best comebacks in all of sports. The Guardians doesn’t have the same exact feel, but reeling three wins in a row would be absolutely crazy to see.