Thanks to Game 5 of the ALDS being postponed last night due to rain, the New York Yankees are able to start left-hander Nestor Cortes on short rest for the clinching game.
The Cleveland Guardians also have the opportunity to do that with their ace Shane Bieber.
Bieber got the start in Game 2 on Friday at Yankee Stadium, allowing just two runs on five hits in 5.2 innings.
He also struck out seven batters.
Aaron Civale was initially scheduled to get the start for the Guardians.
Bieber went 13-8 in 31 starts with a 2.88 ERA in 200 innings pitched this season.
The Guardians have yet to announce if they’ll go with him or stick with Civale.
The Guardians have a win-or-go-home Game 5 this afternoon and with Shane Bieber gaining another day of rest, he could help Cleveland. What choice would you make? Photos: John Kuntz and Joshua Gunter, clevelanddotcom pic.twitter.com/ofEUdUGVtl
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) October 18, 2022
Will The Guards Go With Bieber?
The postponement of Game 5 last night may have given the Guardians just the advantage that they needed in order to get past the Bronx Bombers.
While they still have yet to announce who will be starting today’s game, they have several options.
They could potentially keep Civale as the Game 5 starter and see how much length they can get out of him before going to Bieber, keeping the former on a short leash, or they could choose to start Bieber on short rest and give him a chance to help the Guardians close out the Yankees.
Going with Bieber would likely be the smartest choice manager Terry Francona could make with a trip to the ALCS on the line.
The winner of Game 5 will travel to play the Houston Astros.
We’ll see what the Guardians decide to do, but it would make sense for them to go with Bieber on short rest.
At the very least though, Bieber is available to pitch, regardless of whether the Guardians choose to start him or Civale.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Reveals Pitching Plan If Game 5 Is Moved