CLEVELAND, Ohio – Juan Soto was supposed to be the difference maker, the one who pushed the New York Yankees back to the top.

You are one step away.

Soto hit a three-run home run with two outs in the 10th inning and the Yankees reached their 41st World Series – and first in 15 years – by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-5 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night. 2 defeated.

Baseball's biggest brand returns to the main stage in October.

Soto, acquired from San Diego in a seven-player transfer in December, put the Bronx Bombers in a big swing.

This is why he came, for this moment and for so many more.

“Obviously he's had an amazing season statistically, but in the biggest moments that's what he does,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “And it shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

The Yankees, who missed the playoffs a year ago, will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the NL Championship Series takes place on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the third straight close game in three nights at Progressive Field, Austin Wells walked with one out in the 10th and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez, whose soft throw went into the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.

Hunter Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres to make it 1-2 before New York's stylish outfielder, who fouled on four pitches, sent a powerful shot over the center wall.

“Just a fight for the ages,” Boone said.

Soto danced down the first base line, pausing to celebrate with his teammates before circling the bases.

“I just said to myself, ‘You’re into this guy. You're into this guy. He has nothing,” said Soto, who joined Boone as the only New York players to hit a home run in an extra-inning, decisive series win.

Luke Weaver got the last three outs, and Lane Thomas flied out to right field for the last out, which of course was intercepted by Soto.

When he came to New York, some wondered how he would fit in. Could he handle the searing spotlight in the Big Apple, where every game is dissected like a season? Could he coexist alongside Aaron Judge?

Soto not only fit in, he also took the lead.

“He’s just easy to be around,” Boone said. “If you bring in a superstar player, what will he look like? about him. I feel like I've built a great relationship with him, but he's one of the guys.

The 25-year-old Soto is eligible for free agency this winter and Yankees fans chanted “Re-sign Soto!” during the postgame celebration. He's expected to get a $600 million contract, and his heroics in Game 5 may have increased his price tag.

“I think we should re-sign Soto,” said third baseman Jazz Chisolm Jr. “$700 million, final offer!”

Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run home run and was named ALCS MVP as the Yankees faced the Guardians in five games. It wasn't easy.

New York won the first two games at Yankee Stadium without much fanfare or drama. In Cleveland, however, it was a different story as all three games at Progressive Field were exciting.

The Guardians rallied to win Game 3 with two two-run home runs in their final two at-bats, and the Yankees were able to win Game 4 after blowing a four-run lead.

“It was a rollercoaster ride and we were just able to keep fighting back,” Stanton said. “We know there’s still a lot of work to do and it’s all uphill from here and we have to get it done.”

Cleveland simply didn't have enough, and a surprising season under first-year coach Stephen Vogt ended just short of a World Series. The franchise has been without a title since 1948, currently the longest losing streak in baseball.

“There is only one team that can win the last game of the year and unfortunately not us,” said Vogt. “But we have achieved a lot as a group. We have become better. We worked extremely hard. I couldn't be more proud of this group. We just didn’t get quite as far as we wanted.”

The Yankees are back in the World Series, back where their fans expect them to be every year.

The club's fourth-place finish in the AL East last season, 82-80, led to a “conscience search as an organization” over the winter, said Boone, who was widely criticized but is one of only three managers to take over New York made the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons.

While the team's core remained largely intact, the inclusion of Soto in a blockbuster transfer on December 7 – New York sent five players to San Diego for the three-time All-Star – accelerated the team's return to title contender status.

“It was a good day,” Boone said with a laugh before the game.

Stanton's 446-foot rocket into the left-field bleachers made it 2-0 in the sixth, chasing Tanner Bibee, who had struck out New York's dangerous DH in his first two at-bats and held the Yankees scoreless through the first five innings.

It was Stanton's fourth home run of the series – his third in three days – and his 16th of the postseason, moving him into fourth place on the club's career list behind Bernie Williams (22), Derek Jeter (20) and Mickey Mantle (18). ) brought. .

“That’s the best swing you can put on a ball,” Boone said.

For Boone, who comes from one of baseball's royal families, the pressure finally faded after falling short of expectations. It took seven years, but he finally got the Yankees back where they belong.

“We had some great groups, some great camaraderie, some great clubhouses,” Boone said. “This group is as tight as ever and they trust each other. They lean on each other. They love each other. They play for each other.”

Like Soto, Chisolm was an outsider before being traded from Miami to the Yankees in July. But from the moment he arrived, he knew he was joining something special.

“I thought I was just going to join the baseball team,” he said. “But came into a family.”

TRAINER ROOM

Yankees: LHP Nestor Cortes (elbow strain) had another successful live batting practice session. The reliever remains on track to join the Yankees on their World Series roster. Boone said Cortes will throw again early next week. Cortes went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 30 starts.

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