Game one of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees was a mistake-filled mess for Cleveland.

It started in the bottom of the third inning, when reliever Joey Cantillo entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs facing Anthony Rizzo. Cantillo threw four straight balls, one of which bounced off catcher Bo Naylor, giving the Yankees their second run of the game.

New York scored the third run on another wild pitch by the next batter, Alex Verdugo.

It continued in the 4th inning: Cantillo walked Gleyber Torres to start, then threw two consecutive wild pitches to allow him to reach third base. A sacrifice fly by Aaron Judge then extended the lead to 4-0.

Three of the Yankees’ four runs to that point were directly related to wild pitches. Not a recipe for success. But Cleveland entered game two Tuesday night with a chance to tie the series behind their best starting pitcher, Tanner Bibee. After a sloppy, error-filled game, it seemed clear that manager Steven Vogt’s message to his players would be to play clean, fundamentally sound baseball so as not to set the team back in a must-win playoff game.

They didn’t listen.

NEW YORK – Brayan Rocchio of the Cleveland Guardians is unable to take action on a ball hit by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees in the first inning during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2024. ( Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sloppy play continues for Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees

The Yankees in game two again stood out strong offensively; Gleyber Torres led off the bottom of the first inning with a double, followed by a Juan Soto single. First and third, no one is out for Aaron Judge. It doesn’t get much better than that.

But Judge’s battle continued; after an 0-1 count, he hit the ball towards second base. Certainly, a routine play to secure the first out of the game and set up the opportunity for an inning-ending double play. Instead, shortstop Brayan Rocchio drifted over, out of position, and dropped the ball flat.

Four runs in the first 10 innings of the ALCS gifted by Cleveland to New York.

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The Guardians already have a significant talent gap to the Yankees, and this year’s Yankees lineup is pretty mediocre relative to name value at most positions. Giving away points is not a recipe for postseason success, regardless of the team or opponent. But it’s especially difficult to overcome as a significant underdog in a hostile road environment and against a tough starter and bullpen.

Cleveland allowed two more runs in the first three innings on an Alex Verdugo double and a sacrifice fly by Judge. And if the Yankees get contributions from the likes of Alex Verdugo, and that much help from an already outmatched opponent, this could make for a very short series.