NEW YORK – Monday night brings a clash at Yankee Stadium as the Cleveland Guardians face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), highlighting both teams’ quests for a championship title.

This matchup marks the second playoff encounter between the Guardians and Yankees in three years, and their fourth in eight years. The Yankees previously won in the 2017 AL Division Series, 2020 Wild Card Series, and 2022 ALDS.

However, all these playoff victories were followed by defeats at the hands of the Houston Astros in the ALCS, leaving the Yankees without a pennant or World Series title since 2009.

Cleveland is looking to end an even longer title drought.

The Guardians aim to make their first World Series appearance since 2016, chasing their first championship since 1948. In 2016, they nearly clinched the title, losing to the Chicago Cubs in a thrilling Game 7 that went into extra innings.

Anthony Rizzo, a member of the 2016 Cubs team, captured attention prior to Game 1 after being reinstated from the injured list just two weeks after fracturing two fingers when hit by a pitch. He missed the ALDS win against the Kansas City Royals while Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti played first base in his absence.

Starting for the Yankees is left-hander Carlos Rodon, who was removed in the fourth inning during the ALDS Game 2, and he faces Guardians right-hander Alex Cobb, who made only his fourth appearance of the year and pitched three innings in ALDS Game 3.

Stay tuned for updates throughout Monday’s game:

Juan Soto homers, Yankees take the lead

ALCS kicks off at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK – The first game of the ALCS is now underway, and tonight could be challenging for the starting pitchers.

Neither team managed to score in the first inning, although both starting pitchers faced difficulties in the opening frames, suggesting that pitching may not dominate this series.

Rodon, unable to complete the fourth inning in his previous ALDS start, required 20 pitches to navigate the first inning against Cleveland, striking out Lane Thomas to leave David Fry on second base. Meanwhile, Alex Cobb, making just his fourth start this season, allowed singles to Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto but managed to strike out Aaron Judge and got Austin Wells and Giancarlo Stanton out to keep Cleveland scoreless.

Celebrity presence: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Yankee Stadium

While Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stage is being prepared in Miami for her upcoming concerts, she was spotted at Yankee Stadium enjoying the game between the Yankees and Guardians with her partner, Travis Kelce.

The duo was seen in a suite near right field, with Swift wearing a black cap and jacket to match Kelce’s ensemble of a “Midnight Rodeo” cap and dark jacket. They were joined by comedian Jerrod Carmichael.

– Bryan West

Yankees vs Guardians schedule: ALCS Game 1

The first pitch is set for 7:38 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Where to watch the Yankees vs Guardians

• Game time: 7:38 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: TBS
• Streaming: Available on Sling

Guardians lineup for ALCS Game 1

1. Steven Kwan (L) LF
2. David Fry (R) DH
3. José Ramírez (S) 3B
4. Lane Thomas (R) CF
5. Josh Naylor (L) 1B
6. Jhonkensy Noel (R) RF
7. Bo Naylor (L) C
8. Andrés Giménez (L) 2B
9. Brayan Rocchio (S) SS

Yankees lineup for Game 1

1. Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
2. Juan Soto (L) RF
3. Aaron Judge (R) CF
4. Austin Wells (L) C
5. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
6. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B
7. Anthony Volpe (R) SS
8. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
9. Alex Verdugo (L) LF