"They've got the two big guys in Aaron Judge and Juan Soto" - David Fry evaluates Yankees ahead of ALCS Game 1; Guardians wary of superstar sluggers

David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians offered his perspective on the New York Yankees before their American League Championship Series meeting, which gets underway with Game 1 in the Bronx on Monday night.

The Guardians' designated hitter said that his team will be cautious while facing the daunting lineup, especially when the two superstar sluggers Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are at the plate.

Despite making a somewhat late start to his MLB career, Fry has enjoyed a rapid rise since coming up to the big leagues with the Guardians last year. The 28-year-old earned his first All-Star Game appearance in 2024 before finishing the campaign with 14 home runs along with an OPS+ of 128. Fry has been a big contributor for his team in their postseason success so far.

On Sunday, Fry was among the Guardians players in the press conference ahead of their ALCS clash with the Yankees.

"They're a tough team," Fry said. "Obviously, they've got the two big guys in (Aaron) Judge and (Juan) Soto.

"They have a deep roster, really good pitching staff, some veteran starters who have been around a little bit," he added. "It will be a really fun series. They're a good team, and we're excited for it."

David Fry batted .250/.294/.500 over five games in their AL Division Series victory over the Detorit Tigers. He produced two extra-base hits and five RBIs in the series, including a two-run homer in Game 4.

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"This is a really good lineup": Guardians manager Stephen Vogt on Yankees sluggers

Stephen Vogt says the Guardians pitchers have their task cut out against the Yankees. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt also showed his respect to the powerful New York Yankees lineup in the aforementioned press conference on Sunday afternoon.

Vogt is a strong contender for Manager of the Year after leading his team to the AL Central title before rallying them into the Championship Series.

"Just got to make pitches," Vogt said. "This is a really good lineup, really good team. We know. We've seen them. They've done it to us.

"They hit the ball to the yard against us," he added. "We just have to make pitches. Our game planning is always really good, and we just have to execute."

As a team, the Yankees had batted .257/.371/.481 with an OPS of .851 against the Guardians pitching staff during the regular season. Therefore, Stephen Vogt knows that his pitchers have to be at their best during this seven-game series even though they will have an excllent defense behind them.