Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees Game 1: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

We’re set for an ALCS between two teams that have been here before: The Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees.

These teams last met in the postseason in 2022, but these organizations have had battles in multiple postseasons over the last decade.

In the Divisional Series, the Yankees dispatched the Kansas City Royals while the Guardians prevailed over the Detroit Tigers in five games. The margins were very thin in both series, but both the Yankees and Guardians simply produced in the biggest moments when it mattered the most.

The Yankees are considerable favorites in Game 1 and the series as a whole, but the Guardians are sure to be a formidable opponent after winning the AL Central this season.

Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees Game 1 betting picks and predictions

New York Yankees ML (-160)

This is not a series that many expected to see in the American League Championship Series at the start of the regular season. However, there’s a reason that the Guardians are in this position, and it starts with their pitching. 

The Guardians pitching was largely terrific against the Tigers in the Divisional round, allowing just 13 earned runs over five games, but the matchup gets a lot tougher this week against the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton.

If Cleveland gets behind early in this game on the road, it could get ugly for them in Yankee Stadium on Monday. 

While Cleveland was terrific on the mound against Detroit, the Guardians offense was pretty inconsistent against a litany of Tigers pitchers. That could be a source of concern in this matchup as well, particularly in Game 1, as the Yankees will give the ball to Carlos Rodon, whose stuff looked pretty sharp against the Royals in the Division Series.

Behind Rodon will be an army from the bullpen, as New York looks to establish control of the series at home in Game 1. 

This is a really difficult situational spot for the Cleveland bullpen, as the Guardians only have one day of rest in between their Game 5 victory over Detroit and this Game 1 in New York against a rested Yankees team that has considerably more firepower in the lineup than what Cleveland saw against the Tigers.

While it’s difficult to back the Yankees on the run line in a matchup where the margins should be thin, it’s hard to see New York losing this game if Rodon can turn in a solid outing.

Home teams in Game 1 of the playoffs are typically successful, so New York should build on that success in the opening game of the ALCS on Monday. 

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Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees Game 1 odds

Cleveland Guardians	+135 ML
New York Yankees	-160 ML
Run Line	NY Yankees -1.5
Total	O/U 7.5

Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees Game 1 player props

Player Home Run Odds

Jose Ramirez (CLE Guardians)	+375
Lane Thomas (CLE Guardians)	+600
David Fry (CLE Guardians)	+600
Aaron Judge (NY Yankees)	+320
Juan Soto (NY Yankees)	+375
Giancarlo Stanton (NY Yankees)	+375

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.