Juan Soto’s dramatic homer sends Yankees to first World Series since 2009: Yankees Waiting On Winner From Mets-Dodgers
Baseball’s biggest brand is going back to October’s main stage, thanks to Juan Soto hitting a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning. The New York Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series — and first in 15 years — by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.
Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego in December, moved the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing. Juan Soto hit what held as a game-winning three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning.
That’s right. The Yankees are back in the World Series for the first time since 2009 when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. New York also captured its 41st American League pennant by ousting the Guardians in five games.
The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the NL Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
If the Yankees renew a World Series rivalry with the Dodgers, they would do so without home-field advantage. The Dodgers finished with the best record in baseball and thus secured homefield throughout the entire postseason. In that scenario, the World Series would be played at Yankee Stadium for Games 3 and 4, and a potential Game 5. The Dodgers and Yankees have played 11 times in the World Series, but not since 1981. New York won the first 10 head-to-head meetings in the Fall Classic but were upset by the Dodgers in 1981.
The Yankees would have a home-field advantage over the Mets. The only time the Mets and Yankees played a Subway Series for the World Series was in 2000. The Yankees won their third consecutive championship that year and 26th World Series overall. If the Mets and Yankees play in the World Series for a second time in MLB postseason history, Games 1 and 2 would be played at Yankee Stadium, in addition to possible Games 6 and 7.
