David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians offered his thoughts on the New York Yankees ahead of their upcoming American League Championship Series (ALCS), set to begin with Game 1 in the Bronx on Monday night. As the Guardians’ designated hitter, Fry emphasized the challenge his team faces, particularly against the Yankees’ powerful lineup, including superstar sluggers Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Fry noted that the Guardians would need to be cautious when those two hitters are at the plate. Despite starting his MLB career later than some, Fry has quickly made an impact since debuting with the Guardians last year. The 28-year-old had a breakout 2024 season, earning his first All-Star Game appearance and finishing with 14 home runs and an OPS+ of 128. Fry has also been a key player in the Guardians’ postseason success.
At a press conference on Sunday, Fry acknowledged the Yankees’ strengths. “They’re a tough team,” he said. “Obviously, they’ve got the two big guys in (Aaron) Judge and (Juan) Soto. They have a deep roster, a really good pitching staff, and some veteran starters who have been around for a while. It’ll be a fun series. They’re a good team, and we’re excited for it.”
Fry’s performance in the Guardians’ American League Division Series (ALDS) victory over the Detroit Tigers was strong. He hit .250/.294/.500 over five games, contributing two extra-base hits and five RBIs, including a crucial two-run homer in Game 4.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt also praised the Yankees’ lineup during the press conference. Vogt, a contender for Manager of the Year after leading the Guardians to an AL Central title and into the Championship Series, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “Just got to make pitches,” Vogt remarked. “This is a really good lineup, a really good team. We know. We’ve seen them. They’ve done it to us. They hit the ball out of the park against us.” Vogt emphasized the importance of execution in their pitching strategy and game planning, noting that the Yankees had batted .257/.371/.481 with an OPS of .851 against the Guardians’ pitching staff during the regular season. He added that while the Guardians have a strong defense, their pitchers must perform at their best in this seven-game series.
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