Guardians vs. Yankees: NLCS Game 1 predictions, odds and picks — Oct. 14, MLB 2024

On Monday night, the New York Yankees will play the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of the 2024 ALCS. This series will mark the seventh postseason meeting between the two clubs, and the first one since the 2022 ALDS.

After heroic victories by both sides in their respective division series, the stakes will be heightened on Monday. First pitch for Game 1 is slated to take place at 7:38 pm from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

"Yankees vs Guardians head to head this year" - Barry

Guardians vs Yankees recent form and records

The Guardians finished the regular season with a record of 92-69, enough to win the AL Central. The team with an AL-best 50 wins, Cleveland excited fans with an action-packed, back-and-forth series against the Detroit Tigers before punching their ticket to New York by winning Game 5 of the ALDS last Saturday.

The New York Yankees' 94 wins this season were the most in the American League. After getting through to the second round, the Yankees cut down the Kansas City Royals in four games in the ALDS. The Yankees' last appearance in the American League Championship Series came in 2022 when they were swept by the Houston Astros.

Players to Watch

Starting Pitchers

CLE: Alex Cobb (2-1, 2.76 ERA) vs NYY: Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA)

Cobb has a 1.041 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10 K in 16.1 IP.

Last Start: Loss, 3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K vs DET

Career vs NYY: 7-5 3.19 ERA (115.2 IP, 41 ER) 19 HR in 20 games

Rodon has a 1.223 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 195 K in 175 IP.

Last Start: Loss, 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K vs KCR

Career vs CLE: 8-5 2.81 ERA (125 IP, 39 ER) 10 HR in 21 games

Must-Watch Hitters

Cleveland

Outfielder Lane Thomas' grand slam in Game 5 was crucial in sending the Guards to the ALCS. A deadline acquisition from the Washington Nationals, Thomas had six hits, two home runs and nine RBIs in five games of the 2024 ALDS.

"LANE THOMAS GRAND SALAMI OFF SKUBAL. PURE ELECTRICITY IN CLEVELAND" - Barstool Sports

Steven Kwan's 1.136 OPS leads his team this postseason. In addition to some acrobatic play in the outfield, Kwan is 11-for-21 in the box.

David Fry has five RBIs in five games this postseason. The 28-year-old's three-run homer in Game 4 was critical to Cleveland staying alive. Additionally, Fry's three runs scored this season are tied for second on the club.

New York

Now 6-for-16 in the postseason, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has logged an OPS of 1.132 so far this October. A career .277 postseason batter, Stanton has 7 homers and 12 RBIs in 31 games against Cleveland.

"Game 5, 2022 ALDS. Giancarlo Stanton hit an epic 3-run homer in the first and the Yankees bullpen didn’t allow a run in 4 innings to win the series." - YankeesMuse

Infielder Gleyber Torres has reached base in every single game since his team's September 18 fixture against the Seattle Mariners. A career .294 hitter against Cleveland, Torres will be an important part of his team's success in the ALCS.

Guardians vs Yankees baseball betting odds

Monday 14/10	Money Line	Run Spread	Total Runs
Cleveland Guardians	+ 135	+ 1.5 -160	O 7.5 -105
New York Yankees	- 160	- 1.5 +135	U 7.5 -115

Guardians vs Yankees expert picks and game prediction

During the regular season, the Yankees won four out of six games between the two clubs. The Yankees were also clearly more offensively-minded, and scored 815 runs, while Cleveland managed 708.

Pitching - especially bullpen pitching - drove Cleveland's success all season. The club's 2.77 was the best in MLB. However, the Yankees' relief corps has stolen the show in the postseason, and have now gone 15.2 innings without surrendering a run.

Meanwhile, Cleveland's pen has struggled to an ERA of 3.16, with All-Star closer Emmanual Clase failing to deliver. The first game of the series will likely come down to pitching, and New York certainly appears to have the edge there.