CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians are on the brink of elimination from the American League Championship Series (ALCS) after a gut-wrenching loss in Game 4 Friday night.
After the Guardians fought back to make it a 6-6 game in the eighth inning, the New York Yankees peppered closer Emmanuel Clase in the final frame before regaining the lead on an Alex Verdugo grounder that plated Jon Berti. Gleyber Torres then added an insurance run with a single to center.
After another thrilling installment in this ALCS failed to go Cleveland's way this time, the Guardians must win Saturday at home to send the series back to the Bronx and keep the season alive.
Here's everything you need to know about Game 5:
GAME INFO, HOW TO WATCH ON TV, STREAM, BETTING LINE
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
- Time: 8:08 p.m.
- Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- TV channel: TBS (DataCast airing on TruTV)
- Streaming: Max
- Radio: WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7, Guardians Radio Network, ESPN Radio, WARF 1350
- Moneyline: -123 Yankees
- Run line: -1.5 Yankees / +1.5 Guardians
- Total: 7.5
- Tickets can be purchased HERE
PROBABLE PITCHERS
- Cleveland Guardians: RHP Tanner Bibbee (Regular season: 12-8, 3.47 ERA, 187 Ks)
- New York Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (Regular season: 16-9, 3.96 ERA, 195 Ks)
ALCS SCHEDULE
- Monday, Oct. 14: Game 1, Yankees win 5-2
- Tuesday, Oct. 15: Game 2, Yankees win 6-3
- Thursday, Oct. 17: Game 3, Guardians win 7-5
- Friday, Oct. 18: Game 4, in Cleveland, Yankees win 8-6
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Game 5 in Cleveland, 8:08 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 21: Game 6 (if necessary), in New York, 5:08 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22: Game 7 (if necessary), in New York, 7:38 p.m.
PREVIEW
On Thursday night, the Cleveland Guardians reminded everyone that they are fighters and will not back down. Now down 3-1 in the series, they'll have to fight even harder on Saturday to keep their season alive.
After a heartbreaking 8-6 loss in Game 4, the Guardians are faced with the franchise's largest deficit in a seven-game series since falling behind 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves in the 1995 World Series. That Cleveland team was eliminated in six games, so these Guardians will look to avoid repeating history as they face elimination for the second straight round of this year's postseason.
Backed into a corner, it would be natural for the Guardians to betray a waver in confidence. At least outwardly though, the team is as confident as ever. And they have reason enough to feel confident; they've certainly made a habit of wriggling themselves out of tough spots.
“We’re going to show up ready to win,” first-year manager Stephen Vogt said after Game 4. “That’s who these guys are. Our backs are against the wall, we play our best baseball. We don’t quit. This team has no quit in it. It hasn’t all year long.”
That confidence extends to struggling closer Emmanuel Clase, who has faltered several times in the postseason after enjoying a historic regular season. After giving up back-to-back homers before Cleveland rallied in Game 3, Friday night continued Clase's mystifying run of meltdowns. Posting a 10.29 ERA in six appearances, he's surrendered more earned runs in these playoffs than during the entire regular season.
"He knows that everyone in this bullpen and in this clubhouse believes in him," said rookie right-hander Cade Smith. "Two rough nights hasn't shaken our faith in him at all."
Now firmly on the edge of a metaphorical cliff, the Guardians will send Tanner Bibee to start the game on the hill in Game 5 on three days rest after he threw only 39 pitches in Game 2. The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodón, who got the win while going six innings in Game 1 with nine strikeouts.
While New York has shown their weaknesses this series, particularly on the defensive side, the Guardians pitching staff will have to contend with a Yankees offense that has found its groove. Aaron Judge is out of his slump, and Giancarlo Stanton is red hot after hitting homers in both Games 3 and 4.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Guardians/Yankees series winner will take on the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles currently leads the series 3-2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
