The Yankees should be very happy to have Game 5 in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Guardians forced a win-or-go-home game as the Tigers pitched AL Cy Young Award candidate Tariq Skubal in the deciding game, forcing a win over the top-seeded Bronx. A potentially big boon for the Bombers.
If the Tigers had won the series on Thursday, Skubal would have started Game 1 against the Yankees and could have started three games in the ALCS.
Now, if the Yankees play Detroit in the ALCS, they will likely only face Skubal twice.
There's still certainly a chance the Guardians win Game 5 and this potential gift goes to waste. Cleveland maintains home-field advantage in this series and outscored its division rival in the regular season.
The Guardians don't have a traditional ace — Tanner Bibby started and pitched well in Games 1 and 4, both of which Cleveland won — and they haven't named a starter for Game 5 yet.
Game 2 starter Matthew Boyd could return after a period of rest.
However, if the upstart Tigers win this series and become the favorites for Game 5 with Skubal on the mound at FanDuel, the Yankees will get a big break.
Skubal has already held the Guardians to over seven scoreless innings in Detroit's 3-0 win in Game 2 against Cleveland, and has pitched 13 scoreless innings this postseason, including the ALDS game. There is.
The ALCS begins Monday in the Bronx with Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday, but Skubal will not start on a day or two of rest.
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He will have a normal rest period for Game 3 in Detroit on October 17th, and will either start Game 6 during a short rest period on October 21st, or during his normal rest period on October 22nd. There is a possibility that he will appear in Game 7.
One thing to note is that this will put a lot of pressure on the Yankees to win their first two home games. In the case of a split, the series would be best-of-5, meaning Skubal could advance twice and if he lost both, he would have to win the match for Skubal to avoid an 0-3 hole. do.
Skubal should win his first Cy Young Award after pitching 192 innings this season, posting an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts, helping Detroit to an unexpected playoff appearance.
The southpaw posted a 2.25 ERA against the Yankees this season, giving up three runs in 12 innings and striking out 17 batters before recording two shutouts.
Skubal gave up one run in six innings in his most recent start against the Yankees on August 18 during the Little League Classic.
He has started five career games against the Yankees and is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
