The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians were supposed to play Game 2 of their American League Division Series matchup on Thursday night. Instead, rain pushed the game to Friday and, combined with an already unusual postseason schedule, created a two-day break between Games 1 and 2. The upshot is a series that could require four games in four days if it goes the full five games.
Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona speaks during a news conference ahead of Game 2 of an American League Division series baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in New York. The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians were supposed to play Game 2 of their American League Division Series matchup on Thursday night. Instead,
Because the Guardians had to get through the wild-card series first, Cleveland ace Bieber couldn’t start Game 1 opposite Gerrit Cole. He’ll go in Game 2 against Cortes, the breakout Yankees lefty who actually had the best ERA on the team this season. The rain day doesn’t really change anything about Game 2, really — both pitchers will be on varying levels of extra rest. What it does do is eliminate any realistic thought of them returning to make traditional starts in Game 5.
If they were to match up directly, it’s hard to read too much into it one way or the other. They would also be on short leashes with bullpens read to hop in. And about that …The most significant part of Taillon being drawn into action for a potential start is the effect it could have on the Yankees bullpen.