Closer role gave New York Yankees enough headache during the regular season due to Clay Holmes’ second half implosion. Hence, manager Aaron Boone was forced to experiment with Luke Weaver, who in fact, had zero experience of pitching in ninth inning. However, the temporary experiment was game changer.
Not only did the New York Yankees survive the regular season, but they also found a reliable closer for the postseason in Luke Weaver. After AL Division Series heroics, the relief pitcher once again thrived under pressure, this time in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians, leading to a historic MLB achievement.
Luke Weaver Matches Mariano Rivera’s Iconic MLB Feat
The New York Yankees kicked off their ALCS series against the Cleveland Guardians with a 5-2 win in Game 1, thanks to contributions from Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto. Stanton hit his 13th career postseason home run, continuing his postseason dominance, while Soto added his first playoff homer as a Yankee, lifting the team to an early series lead. However, one of the key narratives of the Yanks’ playoff run has been the emergence of closer Luke Weaver. Weaver joined legendary Yankee closers Mariano Rivera and Rich Gossage in MLB history as one of only three pitchers to record three saves of more than three outs in their team’s first five games of a postseason, as highlighted by MLB reporter Sarah Langs.
Luke Weaver entered the game in the eighth inning with runners on the corners and just one out. Facing a high-pressure situation, he struck out David Fry and induced a groundout from Jose Ramirez to escape the jam. In the ninth, despite issuing a leadoff walk to Lane Thomas, Weaver remained dominant, striking out Josh Naylor, Daniel Schneemann, and Austin Hedges to close out the victory. Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake have both praised Weaver’s composure and ability to handle the closer role under playoff pressure. “We just want him to be himself and attack the zone,” Blake said. Additionally, Weaver himself acknowledged the challenge of keeping his delivery sharp from the eighth into the ninth innings, particularly under the bright lights of postseason baseball. However, he remains focused and ready to contribute, saying, “I’m ready to go.”
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Hogs Limelight In Yankees-Guardians ALCS Match
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted enjoying some October baseball as they attended Game 1 of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium. The celebrity couple, who have been seen together frequently, were sitting in a luxury suite, cozying up with beers as they watched the game.
The couple’s appearance at Yankee Stadium followed a weekend of dinners in Manhattan with friends, including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Taylor Swift, currently on a break from her Eras Tour, has been attending Kelce’s NFL games. Moreover, the Yankees secured a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the ALCS, and fans couldn’t help but notice the couple having fun.
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