CLEVELAND -- The man who knows Juan Soto best didn't have a doubt.

Soto stood in the batter's box at Progressive Field. Two on, two out, tie game, 10th inning, another classic between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians brewing in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. Another night of thrills and drama with the Yankees one win from their first World Series appearance in 15 years. Another opportunity for Soto to deliver under pressure. And Juan Soto Sr. knew -- he just knew -- his son would come through.

The trademark Soto shuffle after taking the first pitch for a ball. The stare-downs after fouling off four straight pitches. His refusal to concede. The elder Soto sensed his son was in his element.

"That's what he does: He performs in the clutch," he said in Spanish. "He works under pressure. And I was completely confident. I knew something was going to happen in that at-bat."

What happened was a moment that will live on Yankees highlight reels forever: a three-run home run on the first fastball Soto saw from Hunter Gaddis. It was a 95 mph, letter-high offering that Soto blasted over the wall in center field that ultimately sent the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009 in a 5-2 win. They await the winner between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

"It's a great feeling, to hit that homer and get the lead for the team," Soto said. "And coming through big time."

Soto's blast was the second extra-inning home run to clinch a postseason series in Yankees history, joining manager Aaron Boone's home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. It was Soto's 10th career postseason home run, tied for the second most in major league history for a player before his 26th birthday. Soto will turn 26 on Friday -- on the day of Game 1 of the World Series.

"I remember just going, 'Oh my God,'" Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Did the prayer sign. And then knew that we had to somehow put them down in the bottom of the inning, because these guys don't go easy."

Luke Weaver completed that job, working around a single to toss a clean inning and rebound from his blown save in Game 3. Saturday's save sealed a game that began with the Guardians taking a 2-0 lead with runs in the second and fifth inning off Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

That set the stage for the Yankees' other October-moment-seizing star. Giancarlo Stanton stepped to the plate with Gleyber Torres on third base and two outs in the sixth inning. On the mound stood Tanner Bibee, who had, to that point, given the Guardians exactly what they needed: 5 scoreless innings. He had struck out Stanton in their first two clashes. A third appeared imminent when Stanton fell behind 0-2, but Bibee followed with three straight pitches that weren't enticing enough for Stanton to chase.

So, Stanton waited. Finally, he got a slider that Bibee hung over the plate and he pounced, demolishing the baseball at 117.5 mph off the bat and sending it 446 feet away for a game-tying home run. It was the 34-year-old Stanton's third straight game with a home run, and all came with two strikes. It was his 16th home run in 36 career postseason games, passing Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth for third most in Yankees history.

"It's a special moment for me," said Stanton, who was named ALCS MVP. "It's a special time. But this ain't the trophy I want. I want the next one."

Stanton spoke on the field as his teammates celebrated with coaches, front office personnel, support staff and family. Yankees fans filled the sections of seats behind their dugout. They cheered when players ran off. They chanted players' names. Occasionally, they chanted, "Re-sign Soto!"

Soto's impending free agency has hung in the background since the Yankees traded a haul of talented players for him in December. They believed the risk, after a disappointing 82-80 season without a playoff appearance, was worth the chance. He was the ideal complement to Judge and a proven postseason performer they believed would thrive while playing in New York City. They were right.

"We need him to stay," Stanton said. "He's going to stay. We need to bring it home, and then we'll bring him home also."

As Cashman added, "That was the whole purpose of going all-in. We gave up a lot and it was a one-year deal for a lot of money. And so it was a big chess move, no doubt about it, that was designed to increase our chances. And it did."

Those chances increased Saturday because Soto didn't stray from the approach he takes into every at-bat, whether during spring training in February or on the biggest stage in October. Every plate appearance is a one-on-one battle, an opportunity to intimidate the pitcher with each shuffle, each stare-down, each healthy hack.

Soto won another battle in the 10th inning Saturday, against one of the best relievers in baseball. When he did, the Yankees' dugout erupted, players spilling out onto the field once the ball landed. Soto stopped halfway down the first-base line, turned to his team and pounded his chest twice with both hands. The ballpark, besides the pockets of Yankees fans, went silent.

"I've wanted it since day one," said Soto, who won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. "I've said it since spring training. Give me every hard moment. Give me every tough [at-bat]. I'm going to step up to the plate and try to do my best."

His father watched from the stands. There was never a doubt in his mind.

"I was confident," the elder Soto said. "He was waiting for his pitch because he wasn't going to go with the pitcher's pitch. And like he told me, if he makes a mistake or if he repeats it two times, it's gone. And that's how it went."

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who has missed the start of the season because of a lower-body injury, joined the team Saturday for its four-game road trip.

Nedeljkovic was recalled from a conditioning loan with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, where he was assigned Thursday. He made his lone start Friday and made 33 saves in a 4-3 victory over Lehigh Valley.

"I felt good. It was nice," said Nedeljkovic, who was injured in a preseason game on Sept. 30. "I saw a little bit of everything. I think it was the kind of game you'd want in this situation. Saw a lot of power-play opportunities, short-handed, half breakaways, some odd-man rushes, little bit of 6-on-5, 6-on-4. So like I said, a little bit of everything. Felt good. As the game went on, just settled in more and more, made the adjustments. It was nice. Felt like I had the last couple of days in practice."

The Penguins visit the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers on Friday and the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 26. They also have goaltenders Tristan Jarry (1-1-0, 5.47 goals-against average, .836 save percentage) and Joel Blomqvist (2-2-0, 3.16, .908).

Nedeljkovic, 28, was 18-7-7 with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage in 38 games (33 starts) in his first season in Pittsburgh in 2023-24.

The Carolina Hurricanes selected him in the second round of the 2014 NHL draft. He played for the Hurricanes (2016-17, 2018 to 2021) and Detroit Red Wings (2021 to 2023) before signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh in July 2023.

For his career, Nedeljkovic is 60-45-22 with a 2.96 GAA and .906 save percentage. He led the league with a 1.90 GAA and a .932 save percentage in the 2020-21 season, when he was voted to the NHL All-Rookie first-team.

He re-signed with the Penguins in June on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million.

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca praised Christian Pulisic's all-round performance as his side beat Udinese 1-0 on Saturday despite being down to 10 men for more than an hour.

United States star Pulisic registered his 11th goal contribution in 13 games for club and country this season with his assist for Samuel Chukwueze to open the scoring for Milan in the 13th minute at the San Siro.

But Fonseca also praised Pulisic for his defensive work as Milan held on for the victory, despite midfielder Tijjani Reijnders being shown a straight red card in the 29th minute.

"Christian's game was fantastic," Fonseca told DAZN. "This is the spirit that we must always have."

Pulisic, who missed the USMNT's defeat to Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to Milan, has been involved in at least one goal in seven straight league matches; producing five goals and three assists.

The radically changed Rossoneri started brightly against Udinese and took the lead when Noah Okafor muscled his way down the left flank and rolled it across for Pulisic, who set up Chukwueze to sweep it into the far bottom corner.

The win moved Milan level on points with third-placed Inter Milan, which plays at Roma on Sunday.

"I must say that the game had two parts," Fonseca added. "The first one until minute 30 when we received a red card.

"We played 30 minutes with great personality and quality. It was close to my idea. After the red card, it was a game made of team spirit.

"We suffered, but we suffered together. If there was any doubt on whether this team was united, today we proved we are."

Fonseca stated that his side deserved the win, despite Udinese having two goals disallowed, one from Kingsley Ehizibue and another from Christian Kabasele following the narrowest of offside calls.

"It would have been unfair for the team. We had the best chances and it would have been unfair not to win this game. The team deserved these three points," he said.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Luka Modric as an "extraordinary professional" after the midfielder celebrated becoming the club's oldest-ever player by providing an assist in a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo.

A stunning strike from Kylian Mbappé put Madrid ahead in the first half at Balaidos on Saturday, and Williot Swedberg levelled for Celta.

Modric then came off the bench -- breaking Ferenc Puskas' record as Madrid's oldest player to feature in a competitive match, at 39 years and 40 days -- before playing in Vinícius Júnior for the winning goal three minutes later.

"It's an honour and a pleasure to coach and work with [Modric]," Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV. "With everything he's been able to achieve, he's a fantastic professional and a top man."

Madrid's win over Celta puts them level on points with Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table, ahead of Barça's game with Sevilla on Sunday.

It also extended their unbeaten run in LaLiga to 42 matches, one game fewer than the record, held by Barcelona, who Madrid will face in next weekend's Clásico.

"[Modric] always contributes, whether he starts or comes off the bench," Ancelotti added in his news conference. "He has so much quality that helps us.

"There aren't many words to add, he's still fantastic. He's an extraordinary professional, he works hard, he's calm, he has character, Real Madrid are lucky to have this player."

Mbappé and Vinicius both missed games for their countries during the international break due to fitness concerns, but impressed against Celta.

"[They scored] two spectacular goals," Ancelotti said. "They have that quality, and they made the most of it today. They trained well during the break, and they've improved their condition."

Lionel Messi scored a stunning 11-minute hat trick to help Inter Miami break the Major League Soccer record for most points in a single season, after defeating the New England Revolution 6-2 Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Miami concluded the MLS regular season with 74 points in 34 games and a 22-4-8 (W-L-D) record, narrowly besting the Revolution's 2021 mark of 73 points.

Luis Suárez propelled Inter Miami to rally from two goals down after 34 minutes, scoring twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chase for the points record.

But it was captain Messi who fittingly cemented Inter Miami's name in league history. Just one minute after coming on he helped set up Benjamin Cremaschi to put Miami ahead for the first time in the 58th minute.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner then took center stage himself, starting in the 78th minute, to score his first hat trick for Miami and in the process become the club's all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.

Miami also became the first team in MLS history to have multiple players score at least 20 goals in a season.

With 20 goals apiece, Messi and Suárez are set to finish second in the Golden Boot race to D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23 goals). Messi, though, leads the league in total goal contributions with a combined 36 goals and assists in only 19 games.

"Our captain has led us, the players have led us in times where it was difficult," Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. "But now, tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday and the playoffs.

"As my partner and friend Jorge Mas said, this was always about creating history for Miami. This was always about family, la familia, our people in this stadium. Tonight, it's about you guys because you supported us through the tough times and you're supporting us through the good times."

Messi returned to action only last month after after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in the final of the Copa América on July 14. But he now has hat tricks in back-to-back games following his treble in Argentina's World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia on Tuesday.

"After the major injury he had in the Copa América, we had to be very careful in his recovery and in his insertion into the team," Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino told reporters. "And it seems to me that both the Argentine team and us here were very careful with that issue and we ended up nourishing each other.

"I think the game with Columbus was very important, especially the second half, with Leo being very involved in what happened in that game. And obviously we also drew nourishment from this last match with Bolivia where he already seemed much looser, much more in rhythm. And obviously today, well, I think the first ball he touches is the pass to Jordi Alba [for Miami's third goal], so today the feeling that we have it in an ideal situation."

It was a night of celebration for Miami. The team was awarded the 2024 Supporters' Shield after the final whistle, having clinched the prize for best regular-season record in MLS for the first time earlier this month. The trophy was Miami's first piece of MLS silverware since debuting as an expansion club in 2020.

Inter Miami previously lifted the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup trophy soon after Messi's arrival in the summer of 2023.

After Saturday's win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Miami would take part in the 2025 Club World Cup and host the expanded 32-team tournament's opening game at Hard Rock Stadium.

More immediately, Inter Miami will now have home-field advantage through the MLS playoffs. The team kicks off the postseason Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match Tuesday between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

"Let's get ready for the playoffs," Beckham said.

After the New York Jets' acquisition of Davante Adams this week, a select group of NFL teams have inquired into whether the Jets would be willing to trade fellow star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, league sources told ESPN on Saturday.

The Jets have heard from other teams but are not planning to trade Wilson, according to sources.

It's understandable why teams would reach out to the Jets, who added talent at the wide receiver position in Adams. These teams also know Wilson eventually will be in line to land the type of lucrative contract that other wide receivers have signed in recent months, as the market at that position has exploded.

Teams have been willing to try to acquire Wilson with the understanding they also would be willing to pay the former first-round draft selection once he is eligible for a new contract. But that seems like a moot point for the time being, with New York planning to keep Wilson.

Though they are not expected to trade Wilson, the Jets are listening to offers for veteran wide receiver Mike Williams, according to league sources.

Williams did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of personal reasons, but the eight-year veteran said he was expecting to play Sunday night against the Steelers.

The Raiders at one point were interested in Williams being included in any potential Adams trade -- Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco drafted and signed Williams to an extension during their time together in Los Angeles with the Chargers -- but he was not included in the blockbuster trade that was completed Tuesday.

The Jets instead held on to Williams for the time being, but it might not be much longer. Two of the interested teams, according to league sources, are expected to be the Steelers and the Chargers, where Williams played the first seven years of his career.

The Jets and Steelers decided to table any substantive discussions about Williams until next week, according to league sources.

Neither Williams nor Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich divulged the reason for the receiver's two-day respite this week. Williams had been called out by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route on the game-clinching interception in Monday night's 23-20 loss to the Bills.

The Jets traded for Adams the next day, meaning a reduced role for Williams, who sidestepped a question Friday on whether he wanted to be traded. Williams did say he was "excited" to have Adams on the team, and Wilson shared that sentiment, adding that Adams was "one of my favorite players" growing up.

Asked if he was worried about losing targets, Wilson, the most-targeted player in the NFL, said, "Nah, at the end of the day, if I do lose a few targets, that's fine. I got 22 the other day [in Week 5]. It don't take that many to get where I want to get."

The 2022 offensive rookie of the year, Wilson has 41 receptions for 399 yards and three touchdowns this season, and Williams has only 10 catches for 145 yards.

ESPN's Rich Cimini contributed to this report.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was expected to resume practicing next week, with the hopes of being able to play next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Tagovailoa remained in the concussion protocol and was subject to the NFL's return-to-play provisions, which would play a crucial step in determining whether he could return.

Despite his most recent concussion, Tagovailoa planned to attempt to return to playing football, and it no longer seemed to be a question.

As scary as Tagovailoa's latest injury was, with his arms falling into a fencing response, it was consistent with how he had acted after each of the other concussions he sustained.

Tagovailoa has been spotted visiting with neurologists in Pittsburgh, as he has done in the past, and doctors seemingly have not told him anything strong enough that would change his mind about wanting to continue playing the sport that has been a part of his life since his childhood.

Not only has Tagovailoa consulted with some of the same doctors he visited after previous head injuries, he also has visited with new ones, trying to gather as much information as possible in making a clear determination about his future. But as one source told ESPN earlier this month: "He's 100 percent playing."

Tagovailoa also has insisted that he has felt fine. After sustaining a concussion in the Dolphins' Week 2 Thursday night game against the Bills, he was symptom-free shortly thereafter. Rather than go to a local hospital, Tagovailoa remained in the Dolphins' locker room, greeted his teammates and demonstrated few signs he had experienced another traumatic episode involving his brain.

The Athletic first reported Saturday that Tagovailoa was expected to resume practicing next week.

Tagovailoa, 26, has a history of concussions since entering the NFL in 2020. He was diagnosed with two concussions during the 2022 season and sustained a third hit to the head that led to the NFL altering its policy on how concussions are reported.

After he was diagnosed with a concussion on Dec. 26, 2022, the Dolphins effectively shut him down for the rest of the season; he progressed through the league's protocol once the season ended.

Tagovailoa will sit out his fourth game Sunday when Miami travels to Indianapolis to play the Colts. But Tagovailoa will be eligible to come off injured reserve next week and return Oct. 27 for Miami's home game against the Cardinals.

Miami has started two quarterbacks in Tagovailoa's absence: Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley; the latter was signed from the Ravens' practice squad and started his first game two weeks later after an injury to Thompson.

The Dolphins plan to continue starting Huntley until Tagovailoa's return. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said the team's Week 6 bye allowed Huntley to "really jump into" the finer points of the Dolphins' complex offense.

Though the Dolphins will closely and carefully monitor him, there is a growing sense Tagovailoa will be behind center as early as next week.

Tagovailoa already has been taking part in team meetings, standing on the sideline for every game he has sat out and taking part in all team activities, except practices and games.

ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques contributed to this report.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Georgia coach Kirby Smart had been waiting for his team to put together a complete performance this season.

It finally arrived in the No. 5 Bulldogs' 30-15 upset of No. 1 Texas at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

Three weeks after Georgia fell behind by four touchdowns in the first half of a 41-34 loss at Alabama, the Bulldogs flipped the script and grabbed a 23-0 lead at the half against Texas behind their dominant defense.

The Bulldogs sacked Texas quarterbacks seven times and had 10 tackles for loss. The Longhorns finished with only 259 yards of offense, including 29 rushing. Texas went 2-for-14 on third down and 1-for-5 on fourth.

Georgia, playing at Texas for the first time since 1958, handed the Longhorns their first loss of the season. Texas was the last remaining unbeaten team in the SEC. According to ESPN Research, it's the first time since 2007 that every SEC team lost before the end of October.

Playing in a city that prides itself on keeping things weird, a crazy sequence of events nearly helped the Longhorns get back in the game.

With Texas trailing 23-8 with three minutes left in the third quarter, Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck threw down the left sideline for receiver Arian Smith on third-and-10 from the Georgia 31. Longhorns safety Jahdae Barron stepped in front of Smith and intercepted the pass. He returned it 36 yards to the Georgia 9.

That's when things got strange. Initially, officials penalized Barron for pass interference, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. Referee Matt Loeffler announced the call to the crowd and walked off the 15-yard penalty to the Georgia 44.

Texas fans booed the call while watching replays on the jumbotron. Some fans threw debris into the north end zone, stopping play for a few minutes. While staff members and security cleaned up the bottles, officials conferred again and reversed the call.

When Loeffler told Kirby Smart about the reversal on the sideline, the Georgia coach told him, "You can't do that! You can't do that! ... That's bulls---!"

Despite Smart's protest, Texas took over at the Bulldogs' 9. Following a first-down sack, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw a 17-yard touchdown to Jaydon Blue over the middle. The point-after kick made it 23-15. Suddenly, the Longhorns had life after doing very little in the first half.

But Georgia's offense answered with a long touchdown drive of its own. A 43-yard pass on a flea-flicker play to tight end Oscar Delp moved the Bulldogs to the UT 25. On first-and-goal from the 6, Beck ran for 5 yards to the 1. After two straight stops, Georgia tailback Trevor Etienne ran into the end zone on fourth-and-goal, pushing its lead to 30-15 with 12:04 to play.

After trailing 23-0, Texas finally got on the scoreboard after it recovered Georgia's attempted onside kick to start the second half. Ewers, who was benched to end the half, started the third quarter. Following a pass interference penalty against Bulldogs safety KJ Bolden in the end zone, Ewers threw a 2-yard touchdown and the ensuing 2-point pass to Isaiah Bond to cut Georgia's lead to 23-8.

Beck threw two interceptions early -- the second coming on a tipped pass to Barron at the UT 5 with 3:34 left in the period.

Georgia's defense didn't allow the Longhorns to get much of anything going, however, after surrendering two first downs on Texas' opening possession.

After Beck's second interception, Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette blitzed from Ewers' blind side on third-and-6 from the Texas 27. Everette's jarring tackle caused Ewers to fumble, and Everette recovered the ball at the UT 13.

Four plays later, Etienne scored a 1-yard touchdown on a toss sweep to the left for a 7-0 lead with six seconds left. Texas' offense went three-and-out on each of its next three possessions. On third-and-7 from the UT 11, Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker dropped Ewers for a 9-yard sack.

Georgia took over at the Texas 28 and kicked a 33-yard field goal for a 10-0 advantage with 10:46 left in the first half.

It would only get worse for the Longhorns. On the next series, Everette intercepted Ewers' pass to Golden at the Texas 34. That set up Etienne's 15-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead with 8:30 to go in the half.

Georgia made it 20-0 on Peyton Woodring's 48-yard field goal with 4:43 remaining.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian benched Ewers and replaced him with redshirt freshman Arch Manning on the next possession.

Ewers was only 6-for-12 for 17 yards with one interception in the half. He was sacked three times and lost a fumble. The Longhorns had just 15 yards on 23 plays when Manning came into the game.

Manning, the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, didn't do much better. Texas punted on his first drive, then he was sacked by linebacker Damon Wilson and fumbled on the second. Walker recovered the ball at the Texas 30.

Woodring kicked a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the half to put Georgia ahead 23-0.

Walker, a junior from Salisbury, North Carolina, had seven tackles and three sacks in the first half. He is the first player to do it in a game against a No. 1-ranked AP team in the past 20 years, according to ESPN Research.

CLEVELAND -- The sound of backslaps filled the Guardians' clubhouse right after Cleveland lost the American League Championship Series to the Yankees Saturday night -- teammates giving each season-ending hugs, silent expressions of thanks for a year of shared accomplishment.

In one corner, teammate Josh Naylor, Austin Hedges and Matthew Boyd talked quietly, and when Steven Kwan walked up to the group, Boyd reached out and offered a fist bump. "Because we were so close," Kwan said, "it makes it sting a little bit more."

Manager Stephen Vogt gathered the players right after the Guardians lost on a 10th-inning home run by Juan Soto, and told them how proud he was of them. "Obviously, we're hurting," Vogt told reporters after the 5-2 loss. "What a game to finish on."

The Guardians played well beyond expectations throughout the 2024 season, seizing first place early in the year and holding it throughout the summer on the way to a 92-69 record. Having clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Guardians came back to beat Detroit in the Division Series, beating presumptive Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal with a dramatic grand slam homer by Lane Thomas.

The series with the Yankees in a series was far more intense than the 4 games-to-1 result would suggest. In Game 3, the Guardians had come back with late-inning home runs from Jhonkensy Noel and David Fry to win in a walk-off, and in Game 4, Cleveland had rebounded from a 6-2 deficit to push the Yankees before losing. And in Game 5, the Yankees needed an extra-innings home run from Juan Soto.

In the end, however, the relievers largely responsible for the Guardians' success this season finally faltered in the playoffs. Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith allowed three homers in this series, after allowing only three during the entire regular season, and Hunter Gaddis, who was spectacular during the regular season, allowed Soto's homer. "They carried us here," said Vogt, who is likely to receive strong consideration for Manager of the Year, in his first season as the replacement for Terry Francona. "If it wasn't for those guys, we wouldn't have gotten this far. They deserve a ton of credit."

Brayan Rocchio, the Guardians' shortstop, would not accept the premise that the loss to the Yankees was a disappointment, "because along the way, we experienced a lot of growth."

In the immediate misery of elimination, there seemed to be an acknowledgment of a year of progress, for young players like Rocchio and Noel. For Tanner Bibee, who became the Guardians' de facto ace following injuries and struggles of other starting pitchers; this may be why Bibee was emotional as he talked about the year the Guardians shared. Jose Ramirez, Kwan, the members of that dominant bullpen will all be back next year. "This," Boyd said, "was a special group."

CLEVELAND -- Juan Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series -- and first in 15 years -- by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night.

Baseball's biggest brand is going back to October's main stage.

Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego in December, moved the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing against Hunter Gaddis.

"I was all over it, I was all over it," Soto told TBS of the decisive at-bat. "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.' ... I just had to make good contact, and I did."

It was the second extra-inning home run in a potential series-clinching game in Yankees postseason history. The other was by Aaron Boone, the team's current manager, in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the National League Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

"We're right where we belong," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who pulled off the deal for Soto.

In the 10th, Austin Wells walked with one out and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to second baseman Andres Gimenez, whose soft toss to the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.

Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and had Soto in a 1-2 count before New York's stylish outfielder sent a shot over the wall in center. Soto danced down the first-base line and paused to celebrate with his teammates before circling the bases.

Soto is eligible for free agency this winter, and Yankees fans chanted "Re-sign Soto!" during the postgame festivities.

ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer for the Yankees, who took care of the Guardians in five games, but it wasn't easy.

New York won the first two at Yankee Stadium without much fanfare or any major drama. But it was a different story in Cleveland as all three games at Progressive Field were nail-biters.

The Guardians rallied to win Game 3 on two, two-run homers in their last two at-bats, and the Yankees held on to win Game 4 after blowing a four-run lead.

"This was a roller coaster and we were able to just keep punching back," Stanton said. "We know there's much more work to do and it's only uphill from here and we got to get it done."

Cleveland just didn't have enough and a surprising season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt ended just short of a World Series. The franchise remains without a title since 1948, baseball's current longest drought.

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

The club's 82-80, fourth-place finish in the AL East last season led to some "soul searching as an organization" during the winter, according to Boone, who has been widely criticized but is one of just three managers to take New York to playoffs in six of his first seven seasons.

Though the team's core stayed mostly intact, getting Soto in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 7 -- New York sent five players to San Diego for the three-time All-Star outfielder -- accelerated a return to being a title contender.

"That was a good day," Boone said with a laugh before the game.

Stanton's 446-foot rocket into the left-field bleachers tied it at 2-2 in the sixth and chased Tanner Bibee, who had struck out New York's dangerous designated hitter in his first two at-bats and held the Yankees scoreless for the first five innings.

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

Before the game, Boone was asked what makes Stanton so good.

"He can hit it harder than anyone, first of all," Boone said. "So there's the physical nature of what he does that's different than just about everyone in the world."

But Boone went on to compliment Stanton's discipline at the plate, "his approach, his process, how he studies guys."

"There's something that he does when he gets familiarity with people on top of being very physically gifted," Boone said.

The Guardians took a 2-0 lead in the fifth off Carlos Rodon on Steven Kwan's RBI single with two outs. But Cleveland missed a big chance for more, leaving the bases loaded when Lane Thomas grounded out on the first pitch to him from Mark Leiter Jr.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.