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Guardians vs Yankees Game 1 Prediction

Pitching Matchup: Carlos Rodon (NYY) vs. Alex Cobb (CLE)

In Game 1, the Guardians will send Alex Cobb to the mound, but road games have been a struggle for him. This will be just his third road start of the season, and his previous two resulted in losses, where he allowed six earned runs over 7.2 innings. Facing a potent Yankees lineup at Yankee Stadium makes this an uphill battle for Cleveland.

The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodon, who has been stromg at home this season, posting a 9-3 record. Rodon’s consistency at Yankee Stadium will give New York a clear edge, especially with their bullpen, anchored by Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver in tight games.

Guardians’ Key to Success:
Cleveland’s offense, led by Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez, Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor, must capitalize on any early opportunities against Rodon. With the Yankees bullpen tossing 15.2 innings and allowing no earned runs against Kansas City, runs late should be hard to come by, so a strong start is important.

Yankees’ Key to Success:
The Yankees will look for Rodon to continue his home dominance. If Aaron Judge and Juan Soto can get timely hits and continue their past success against Cobb, Cleveland could be in trouble.

Prediction:
Rodon’s success at home, combined with Cobb’s road issues, gives the Yankees a significant advantage. Expect New York to win Game 1.

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