Watch: Juan Soto sends Yankees to World Series with clutch HR

New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Watch: Juan Soto's clutch 10th-inning home run sends Yankees to World Series

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 19, 2024 11:46 PM ET

The New York Yankees won the American League pennant on Saturday night with a 5-2, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS.

The winning hit was delivered by Juan Soto, who crushed a three-run home run to right-center field to break a 2-2 tie.

It capped off an incredible seven-pitch at-bat that saw Soto fall behind in the count, 1-2, and then foul off four consecutive pitches before doing this.

JUAN SOTO. THREE-RUN HOMER. @YANKEES LEAD IN THE 10TH! pic.twitter.com/w5goa4pSwz
— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2024

The Yankees traded for Soto in the offseason to help give their lineup another impact bat around Aaron Judge so that their lineup was not entirely dependent on just him. Soto ended up exceeding expectations during the regular season and put together an MVP-caliber season at the plate.

He continued that brilliance into the playoffs and delivered in the biggest moment on the biggest stage. It was also fitting that the game ended with Soto catching the final out in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Now the Yankees are on to their first World Series since 2009 and will await the winner of the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers series in the NLCS. The Dodgers lead that series 3-2, with Game 6 to be played on Sunday.

Soto is in the final year of his contract after this season and will be eligible for free agency. He has more than shown his value to the Yankees. They can not let him get away.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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