The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians faced off for Game 3 of the series. We are talking about the pivotal match of the series.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the third inning to finally end his playoff drought.
But let’s get into the ninth inning. The Yankees were leading 5-3 and let’s just say that due to injuries, Aaron Boone had few options in the bullpen.
He kept Wandy Peralta for a while before replacing him.
Did Clay Holmes, who pitched yesterday (and said he was available with hindsight after the game) arrive? No. Aaron Boone didn’t want to use it two days in a row.
It was Clarke Schmidt who came in with a score of 5-4… and he allowed a nasty hit to Oscar Gonzalez. Who else but the hero of the series against the Rays?
Boone’s bullpen management is talked about and the manager also has too much confidence in his veterans who disappoint on the field, including Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Yes, the bullpen is more than decimated (Scott Effross, Ron Marinaccio, Michael King, Chad Green, Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton), but still: there were solutions.
And right now, the series is 2-1 in favor of Cleveland. Will the Yankees see their season end tomorrow?
Hats off to the Guardians who have a whole bullpen and work as a team. It’s never the long ball festival in Ohio, but it works.
