As free agency looms, Soto catapults the Yankees into the World Series

CLEVELAND — The man who knows Juan Soto best had no doubt.

Soto stood in the batter’s box at Progressive Field. Two goals against, two goals against, tied, 10th inning, another classic between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians brewing on Saturday in the American League Championship Series. Another night of excitement and drama with the Yankees winning their first World Series appearance in 15 years. Another opportunity for Soto to deliver under pressure. And Juan Soto Sr. knew, he just knew, that his son would pull through.

The typical Soto shuffle after taking the first pitch for a ball. The staredowns after the foul on four consecutive throws. His refusal to give in. Juan Sr. felt his son was in his element.

“That’s what he does: He performs in the clutch,” Juan Soto Sr. said in Spanish. “He works under pressure. And I was completely confident. I knew something was going to happen in this fight.”

What happened was a moment that will forever remain among the Yankees’ highlights: a three-run home run on the first fastball he saw from Gaddis – a 95-mph, letter-high offering that he ultimately hit over the wall in Center field shot sent the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009 with a 5-2 victory. They are waiting for the winner between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.

“It’s a great feeling to hit that home run and take the lead for the team,” Soto said. “And got through it okay.”

Soto’s blast became the second extra-inning home run to clinch a postseason series in Yankees history, joining manager Aaron Boone’s home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. It was his tenth postseason home run, the second-most in Major League history for a player before his 26th birthday. Soto turns 26 on Friday – the day of Game 1 of the World Series.

“I remember just saying, ‘Oh my God,'” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “Made the prayer sign. And then we knew we had to kind of stifle it in the end of the inning because these guys don’t have it easy.”

Luke Weaver completed the job, working a clean inning with a single and a rebound after his blown save in Game 3. The save sealed a game that began with the Guardians taking a 2-0 lead with runs scored in the second and fifth innings by Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

That set the stage for the Yankees’ other star in October. Giancarlo Stanton came on with Gleyber Torres on third base with two outs in the sixth inning. On the mound was Tanner Bibee, who up to that point had given the Guardians exactly what they needed: 5 ⅔ scoreless innings. He had beaten Stanton in the first two duels. A third goal seemed imminent as Stanton fell behind 2-0, but Bibee followed with three consecutive shots that weren’t enticing enough for Stanton to chase.

So Stanton waited. Finally he got a slider that Bibee hung over the plate and he pounced, destroying the baseball at 117.5 mph straight off and 446 mph for a game-winning home run. It was the 34-year-old Stanton’s third straight game with a home run and two hits. It was his 16th home run in 36 career postseason games, passing Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth for the third-most hit in Yankees history.

“This is a special moment for me,” said Stanton, who was named ALCS MVP. “It’s a special time. But that’s not the trophy I want. I want the next one.”

Stanton spoke on the field as his teammates celebrated with coaches, front office staff, support staff and family. Yankees fans filled the seating areas behind their dugout. They cheered as the players ran away. They called out the names of the players. Occasionally they would chant “Re-sign Soto!”

Soto’s impending free agency has remained in the background since the Yankees traded a number of talented players for him last December. They believed the risk was worth the chance after a disappointing 82-80 season without a playoff appearance. He was the ideal complement to Judge and a proven postseason performer who they believed would thrive in New York City. You were right.

“We need him to stay,” Stanton said. “He will stay. We have to bring it home, and then we’ll bring him home too.”

Cashman said: “That was the whole purpose of going all in. We gave up a lot and it was a one-year contract for a lot of money. And so it was undoubtedly a big move that was planned to increase our chances.

Those chances increased Saturday because Soto didn’t deviate from his approach every time he hit, be it at spring training in February or on the biggest stage in October. Every plate appearance is a tackle, a chance to intimidate the pitcher with every shuffle, every staredown, every healthy hack.

He won another battle Saturday in the 10th inning against one of the best relievers in baseball. When he did, the Yankees’ dugout exploded and players poured onto the field as soon as the ball landed. Soto stopped halfway down the first base line, turned to his team and slapped his chest twice with both hands. Aside from the pockets of Yankees fans, the ballpark was silent.

“I’ve wanted it since Day 1,” said Soto, who won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. “I’ve been saying it since spring training. Give me every hard moment. Give me every hard moment (at bat). I’m going to step up to the plate and try to do my best.”

Juan Sr. watched from the stands. There was never a doubt in his mind.

“I was confident,” said Juan Soto Sr. “He waited for his pitch because he didn’t want to match the pitcher’s pitch. And as he told me, if he makes a mistake or repeats it twice, he’s gone. And that’s how it went.”