The LDS round in the 2022 MLB postseason has blessed us with one do-or-die Game 5. Originally, the Yankees and Guardians were supposed to meet for Game 5 on Monday night, but rain pushed the deciding game back to Tuesday afternoon — the same day the NLCS starts, and the day before one of these two teams faces the Astros in the ALCS.
You can check out the full post-season schedule by clicking here, and here’s the playoff round for 2022. Now let’s get to the important stuff for Game 5.
How to watch?
Date: Tuesday October 18 | Time: 4:07 PM ETLocation: Yankee Stadium (The Bronx, New York)TV Channel: TBS, MLB Network (Spanish broadcast) | Live stream: TBS app, fuboTV (try for free) Odds: CLE +143; NYY-170; U/U: 7 (via Caesars Sportsbook) Starting Pitchers: NYY: Nestor Cortes (12-4, 2.44 ERA), CLE: Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.92 ERA)
Example
First, let’s point out how well played and competitive these games have been. The Yankees have scored 15 points against the Guardians’ 13. One game went to extra innings. There has been no outburst, as the biggest margin was the Yankees’ Game 1 victory by three runs. Expect more drama here, probably into the late innings and maybe even extras.
The Yankees would have started Jameson Taillon in Game 5 if it had gone as planned on Monday night. Now that it’s been postponed for a day, they turn to Nestor Cortes instead. Cortes started Game 2 of this series and gave up two runs in five innings with three strikeouts and three walks. During the regular season, the All-Star lefty faced the Guardians twice and thrived with a 2.19 ERA and a .393 OPS against.
Clay Holmes pitched in Game 4, and Monday night’s rain means he gets a rest day. Wandy Peralta has also pitched in all four games of this series. Jonathan Loaisiga and Lucas Luetge could be factors.
The Guardians originally planned to oppose Aaron Civale, and it seems Terry Francona was able to stick to that plan, even in light of the delay. That said, it’s possible he’ll change tack and give a nod to ace Shane Bieber (who started Game 2 on Friday opposite Cortes). Civale held opposing lineups to a .200/.244/.394 line for the first time this year. And then the Guardians are full of three best men — Trevor Stephan, Sam Hentges, and James Karinchak — who are all well rested. None of them pitched in Game 4 and only Hentges went into Game 3. All-all closer Emmanuel Clase threw 2 1/3 innings in Game 2 and hasn’t pitched since. It is very possible that these four pitchers can finish the game if a starter only makes it through three innings.
Forecast
The Guardians are so much better at pitching and I don’t trust the Yankees pitchers. Another crushing loss for the Yankees in the late innings.
Choice: Guardians 5, Yankees 4