"I was all over Hunter Gaddis" – Juan Soto breaks down his approach before game-changing three-run homer in Yankees' ALCS triumph
Juan Soto's clutch three-run homer was the difference maker in the Yankees ALCS Game 5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. With the win, the Yankees secured a spot in the 2024 World Series and await the winner of the NLCS, either the LA Dodgers or the New York Mets.
Soto's homer came in the top of the 10th inning against Hunter Gaddis. The high fly ball sailed past center fielder Lane Thomas, and an ecstatic Soto received a hero's welcome at the Yankees dugout.
Hitting a go-ahead homer with runners on base is a challenge for any slugger, but Juan Soto made it look easy, even after falling behind 0-2 with two outs. The Dominican slugger broke down his thought process before the hit in his postgame interview with TNT Sports' Lauren Jbara.
“I mean, I was all over him [Hunter Gaddis]. I was all over him, that was the only thing I was thinking. I was just saying to myself, "You're all over that guy. You're all over that guy. He ain't got anything."And just try to make good contact, and I did,” said Soto.
Juan Soto highly praises fellow star Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton won the ALCS MVP with four homers. Before Juan Soto hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th inning, Stanton tied the game in the sixth inning with a two-run homer.
Stanton had given high praise for Soto personally and also in the postgame interview. Similarly, Soto did the same when asked about Stanton's homer in Game 5 in his interview with TNT Sports' Lauren Jbara.
"That's our guy. That's our guy. He put [us] in the game again. And he has been doing it since day one of the playoffs. We're really happy to have him. I mean, he keeps us close," said Soto [1:28].
Juan Soto is no stranger to winning the World Series. As a 21-year-old, Soto won it with the Washington Nationals. For Soto, the current Yankees team has similarities with the 2019 Nationals.
"I mean, we have all the talent. We have all the talent we need to go all the way. Right now, it feels really good. We're really sticking together. We are pushing each other," said Soto [1:00].
The Yankees indeed can win it all the way. However, whoever qualifies between Francisco Lindor's Mets and Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers won't make it any easier for the ALCS champions.