Yankees eliminate Guardians, advance to face Astros in ALCS

The New York Yankees weathered the storm, eliminating the Cleveland Guardians with a 5-1 victory Tuesday in Game 5.

The Yankees now advance to their record 18th American League Championship Series, where they'll face the Houston Astros for the third time in the last six seasons.

The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday in Houston.

Giancarlo Stanton got the party started early, blasting a three-run homer off Guardians starter Aaron Civale in the first inning that stood as the winning blast. Civale lasted just one-third of an inning, and the Guardians never recovered. Aaron Judge added some insurance with a second-inning solo shot, while Anthony Rizzo chipped in with an RBI.

Yankees starter Nestor Cortes pitched brilliantly on three days' rest, allowing three hits over five innings of work. Three relievers picked up the left-hander with four shutout innings.

For the Guardians, the loss brings a bitter end to an otherwise excellent season. MLB's youngest team surprisingly won the AL Central before sweeping a tight wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays and then pushing the Yankees to the limit. The defeat extends the franchise's championship dry spell to 74 years, the longest active drought in baseball.

Houston took five of seven regular-season games from New York this year, including a combined no-hitter at Yankee Stadium on June 25. The Astros also won both of the previous playoff meetings between the clubs.

The Yankees will start Jameson Taillon in Game 1 of the ALCS after the team originally slated him to pitch in the ALDS' Game 5 before it was rained out, manager Aaron Boone said, according to SNY's Andy Martino. He'll go up against Astros ace Justin Verlander.

New York will also likely shuffle its roster due to injuries. Outfielder Aaron Hicks suffered a season-ending knee injury in Game 5 when he collided with a teammate going after a fly ball, he told reporters, per SNY.

Andrew Benintendi, another injured Yankees outfielder, is unlikely to be ready for the next series. However, pitchers Ron Marinaccio and Frankie Montas and utility player DJ LeMahieu could return, Boone said, according to Newsday's Laura Albanese.

Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, who was left off the ALDS roster after missing a team workout, won't pitch in the ALCS, Boone said.