The rain changed the Yankees’ plan, but the Guardians are sticking with theirs.
Cleveland is turning to No. 4 starter Aaron Civale, who was expected to get the nod Monday before the game was postponed, for Tuesday afternoon’s decisive Game 5 in The Bronx.
The Guardians could have opted for ace Shane Bieber, who would be on three days’ rest, but manager Terry Francona is putting his trust in Civale, who will be making his postseason debut and has not pitched since Oct. 5.
The Yankees will counter with Nestor Cortes, who will be on three days’ rest and has bumped Jameson Taillon back to the bullpen. The Yankees are gambling on their higher-upside No. 2, while the Guardians hope the rested Civale comes through.
Civale’s roller-coaster season included three trips to the injured list, but he was at his best in his final starts. Following a forearm injury, Civale returned with four solid outings from mid-September through October in which he posted a 3.27 ERA in 22 innings.
“Once he was able to pitch with health, he looked like the guy that was going to make an All-Star team last year,” Francona said Monday. “Spins the ball very well.”
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