Both teams’ bullpens will play a crucial role in Game 5 whenever it begins as key contributors are rested. Fresh for the Guardians are right-handers Emmanuel Clase, Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak, a native of Newburgh, NY after failing to serve in Game 4.
Still, Cleveland manager Terry Francona didn’t want to turn the final game of the divisional series into a bullpen game. “We like Civale,” Francona said, referring to Aaron Civale, the Guardians’ scheduled starter for Monday. “The longer he stays out there, the better off we are.”
Meanwhile, the Yankees are expecting everyone on deck. They include right-hander Clay Holmes and left-hander Wandy Peralta, who has appeared in every game of this series and would throw for a fourth straight day if he appeared in Game 5.
Right-handers Jonathan Loáisiga and Lou Trivino didn’t show up in Game 4 after light workloads in Game 3, and left-hander Nestor Cortes, who started Game 2, is among those who can give the Yankees length from the bullpen when needed. Even Gerrit Cole, who pitched seven innings in the Yankees’ Game 4 win on Sunday, said manager Aaron Boone is available Monday. “I’d be a little hesitant to use it,” Boone said, “but you never know where the day will take you.”