CLEVELAND — The Yankees have made a habit of playing close games early on this season, including the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader when their bullpen had to walk a tightrope for a one-run win over the Guardians.

But they turned on cruise control in the nightcap.

After Oswaldo Cabrera’s two-run homer lifted them to a 3-2 win in Game 1, the Yankees scored early and often in Game 2 to support an impressive spot start from right-hander Cody Poteet for an 8-2 win, sweeping the doubleheader at Progressive Field.

“Not an easy thing to do,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Especially when you spend the whole day here and the split doubleheader, to walk out of here with two [wins] is definitely nice, with an opportunity to have a great weekend [Sunday].”

With the sweep of the Guardians (9-5), the Yankees improved to 12-3, matching the best start in franchise history through 15 games.

They have done it six other times, the most recent one coming in 2003.

They also clinched their fifth straight series win to begin the year, the third time they have done so in team history.

Juan Soto delivered a three-run homer to help break the nightcap open in the fourth inning and Cabrera added an RBI double in the fifth as he takes over everyday third-base duties with Jon Berti landing on the IL.

It was more than enough offense for Poteet, who was called up from Triple-A as the 27th man for his first big league action since July 16, 2022 — one month before he underwent Tommy John surgery.

The 29-year-old right-hander, whom the Yankees signed to a major league deal in January, turned in six strong innings of one-run ball in which he struck out four and walked none.

“Super meaningful, priceless and an amazing experience,” Poteet said. “Something I would have dreamt up as a kid playing Wiffle ball in the backyard. It was a super fun night. Very thankful.”

Former Yankee Estevan Florial — who struck out looking at a 3-2 pitch out of the zone from Clay Holmes in the ninth inning of Game 1 — broke up Poteet’s shutout with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

But that was all the Guardians could muster off him.

The Yankees pounded out 19 hits and drew 15 walks between the two games, with their relentless offensive approach ensuring neither Guardians starter (Carlos Carrasco or Triston McKenzie) made it through the fifth inning.

Especially in a doubleheader, that proved key as they got to the bullpen for runs in both games and will be facing a tired Guardians relief corps in Sunday’s series finale.

“We do a great job of wearing down the starting pitching,” said Aaron Judge, who accounted for three hits (two doubles) and a walk. “When you do that, it kind of forces the hand of a lot of teams to go to their bullpen, to certain guys they don’t want to in situations. Or Game 2, Game 3 [of a series], you’re facing guys they don’t want you to face. Up and down the lineup, guys having great at-bats and working the count, driving it when they get their pitch.”

Alex Verdugo turned in a strong twin bill, reaching base six times (going 3-for-6 with two doubles, three walks and four runs scored) and making a terrific sliding catch in the left-field corner in Game 2.

In Game 1, Clarke Schmidt cruised at times but also struggled with his command in spots while striking out five and walking a career-high five across five-plus innings.

He allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth before being relieved by Caleb Ferguson, with both of the runs coming around to score on a throwing error by Gleyber Torres.

It pulled the Guardians within 3-2 on what should have been an inning-ending double play.

But Ferguson, Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes combined for four shutout innings to hold up Cabrera’s two-run shot as the decisive blow.

“It’s been impressive,” Judge said of Cabrera. “Having him at the bottom and turn the lineup over and get it back up to the top, that’s what you need. That’s what’s been so fun about this year so far is, it’s a complete lineup.”