Game 5 of the ALDS is moments away from getting underway after being put on hold thanks to rain in New York.
The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians are set to go today, with Nestor Cortes taking the mound for the Yanks and Aaron Civale pitching for Cleveland.
Back on July 2 in Cleveland, these two pitchers faced each other, with Cortes coming out on top.
The Yankees won that game by a final of 6-1 and Cortes threw six innings, allowing just one run.
Civale also went six, but allowed four runs.
Today, the Yankees could hope for something similar to happen.
Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale started against each other on July 2nd in Cleveland.#Yankees won that game 6-1. Cortes went six innings with one earned run. Civale gave up 4 ER in 6 IP.
Michael King, Wandy Peralta and Clay Holmes pitched out of the bullpen in that win.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) October 18, 2022
Yanks Can Lean On Past Success
While it’s just one game in July, it’s something that the Yankees can fall back on for potential success.
But it is still the postseason.
Anything can happen in these games.
Ultimately, Cortes is going on short rest after the rainout altered the Yankees pitching plans.
While Civale has struggled against the Yankees during his career, he is at least well rested, so that could give Cleveland an advantage.
Both teams’ bullpens were taxed after Game 4, so the rainout certainly could have helped.
But Cortes had success against the Guardians back in July and in Game 2 of this series.
He went five innings and allowed just two runs on Friday.
So, while he’s on short rest, there is reason to be hopeful for the Yankees.
At the end of the day though, this is a deciding game.
All previous games don’t matter anymore, especially those in the regular season.
Both teams’ seasons are on the line and it’s an all hands on deck scenario.
We’ll see how the game plays out and which pitcher blinks first.
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