CLEVELAND – The man who knows Juan Soto best didn’t hesitate.

Soto stood in the batter’s box at Progressive Field. Two on, two out, tie, 10th inning, another classic between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians that plays out on Saturday in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Another night of excitement and drama, with the Yankees coming within one win of their first World Series appearance in fifteen years. Another opportunity for Soto to perform under pressure. And Juan Soto Sr. knew – he just knew – that his son would pull through.

The signature Soto shuffle after taking the first pitch for a ball. The stare-downs after an error on four consecutive throws. His refusal to give in. The elder Soto felt his son was in his element.

“That’s what he does: he performs in the clutch,” he said in Spanish. “He works under pressure. And I was confident. I knew something was going to happen in that at-bat.”

What happened was a moment that will forever live on Yankees highlights: a three-run home run on the first fastball Soto saw from Hunter Gaddis. It was a 95 mph, letter-high sacrifice that Soto blasted over the center field wall, ultimately sending the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009 in a 5-2 win. The winner between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series is awaited.

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

Soto’s blast was 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 Soto’s 10th career postseason home run, tied for second 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. ‘Have done the prayer sign. And then we knew we had to put them down somehow in the bottom half of the inning, because these guys are not easy.”

Luke Weaver completed that job, working around a single to pitch an out inning and rebound from his failed save in Game 3. Saturday’s save sealed a game that started with the Guardians taking a 2-0 lead with runs in the second and fifth inning. Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

That set the stage for the Yankees’ other star in October. Giancarlo Stanton stepped up to the plate with Gleyber Torres on third base and two outs in the sixth inning. On the mound was Tanner Bibee, who had given the Guardians exactly what they needed up to that point: 5⅔ scoreless innings. He had knocked out Stanton in their first two clashes. A third seemed imminent when Stanton fell behind 0-2, but Bibee followed with three straight throws 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 jumped, smashing the baseball off the bat at 117.5 miles per hour and sending it 400 feet away for a tying home run. It was the third straight game for the 34-year-old Stanton with a home run, all of which came with two hits. It was his 16th home run in 36 career postseason games, passing Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth for third most in Yankees history.

“It’s a special moment for me,” said Stanton, who was named ALCS MVP. “It’s a special time. But this is 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 seats behind their dugout. They cheered as players ran away. They chanted the names of players. Every now and then they chanted, “Re-sign Soto!”

Soto’s impending free agency has been hanging in the background since the Yankees traded a slew of talented players for him in December. They believed that after a disappointing 82-80 season with no playoff appearance, the risk was worth the opportunity. He was the ideal complement for Judge and a proven postseason performer who they believed would flourish while playing in New York City. They were right.

“We need him to stay,” Stanton said. ‘He stays. We have to get him home, and then we’ll get him home.”

As Cashman added, “That was the whole point of going all in. We were giving up a lot and it was a one-year deal for a lot of money. And so it was undoubtedly a big chess move that was designed to improve our chances.

Those odds increased Saturday as Soto didn’t deviate from the approach he takes with every at-bat, both during spring training in February and on the biggest stage in October. Every plate appearance is a one-on-one battle, a chance to intimidate the pitcher with every shuffle, every stare down, every healthy hack.

Soto won another battle in the 10th inning on Saturday against one of the best relievers in baseball. When he did, the Yankees dugout erupted 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 hit his chest twice with both hands. The ballpark, save for the pockets of Yankees fans, went silent.

“I wanted it from day one,” said Soto, who won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. “I’ve been saying it since spring training. Give me every tough moment. Give me every tough at-bat. I’m going to give it my best shot and do my best.”

His father watched from the stands. There was never a doubt in his mind.

“I felt confident,” the elder Soto said. “He waited for his throw because he didn’t want to go with the pitcher’s throw. And as he told me, if he makes a mistake or if he repeats it twice, it’s gone. And that’s how it went.”