For the first time since 2009, the New York Yankees are heading back to the World Series.
On Saturday, outfielder Juan Soto’s three-run home run in the 10th inning helped the Yankees secure a 5-2 road win in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series and punch their ticket to the Fall Classic. The Yankees will have to wait to find out whether they’ll face the Los Angeles Dodgers or the crosstown New York Mets in the World Series, which is set to begin on Oct. 25.
Here are three takeaways from New York’s victory:
Soto earns his pinstripes…and potentially $600 million
It’s safe to say that the Yankees won the trade that sent former San Diego Padre Soto to the Bronx last December. The 25-year-old has been as advertised since being traded to New York but delivered his true signature moment as a Yankee in the most crucial spot of the game.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the 10th inning, Yankees catcher Austin Wells worked a one-out walk against Guardians right-hander Hunter Gaddis, which brought outfielder Alex Verdugo to the plate. Verdugo hit the second pitch he saw to infielder Andres Gimenez, who flipped the ball to shortstop Brayan Rocchio in an attempt to get a force out at second base.
However, Rocchio was too focused on trying to turn a double play and ultimately dropped the ball, allowing Soto to come to bat with two runners on base. After falling into a 1-1 count, Soto fouled off four consecutive offspeed pitches from Gaddis before he finally saw a fastball, which he sent 402 feet to center field for a go-ahead three-run homer.
