Yankees' confidence high despite challenge to hit Indians' ace Corey Kluber twice
The series of unfortunate events that transpired for the Yankees during Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday night may seem like a faint memory now, considering that New York is once again bound for Cleveland in another postseason do-or-die, winner-take-all game against the Indians on Wednesday. But if the Yankees want to survive and advance to the ALCS for a meeting with the Houston Astros, they shouldn't forget about that heartbreaking loss at Progressive Field, as the night did begin on a high note. The Yankees' lone takeaway from Game 2 was how well they fared against Corey Kluber -- the Indians' ace who is still deemed the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award by season's end. Kluber was simply a shell of himself on Friday, as his season-high six runs and seven hits allowed in just 2.2 innings of work not only stunned the baseball world but also the hometown faithful. He wound up with no decision, as Cleveland pulled off a miraculous comeback, but New York's tattooing of Kluber actually allowed the Yankee Stadium crowd to confidently chant "We Want Kluber" prior to the final pitch in New York's Game 4 win. Of course, it's hard to imagine Kluber pitching so poorly again. He hadn't allowed six runs in an outing since April, and in his ensuing start, he pitched a complete game shutout. If the Yankees can crack Kluber's code once again, they'd be well-deserving of a series victory. But even if they can't, the team still likes their chances with CC Sabathia on the bump.
"I don’t like it, I love it," Yankees' outfielder Brett Gardner told NJ.com of facing Kluber in Game 5. "He’s a big-game pitcher and he’s a guy that we all live for this. We all live for moments like tonight. But a moment like this, Game 5 with the season on the line, I know CC’s looking forward to it and I’m looking forward to playing behind him.
"We feel great about it. We all love playing behind CC. He’s a big game pitcher and there’s no bigger game than this. Hopefully there will be down the road in a few weeks. I know right now he’s excited to get the ball. He obviously stepped up a few days ago at their place against Kluber. We’ll try it all over again and see if we can hopefully play more games in Yankee Stadium."
Sabathia showed his veteran expertise on Friday, striking out five Indians hitters while allowing just three hits and two earned runs in five-plus innings. He left the game with his team ahead 8-3, and before things unravaled, Sabathia was looked upon as the hero who had efficiently pitched the Yankees into a series split heading into The Bronx.
"Would you pick anybody else?" Chase Headley told NJ.com of having Sabathia pitch. "There's not going to be a moment that's too big for him. I know he's going to go out there and whether he pitches great or he doesn't pitch his best, it's not going to be because of the moment. He's going to be CC and I'm glad that he's on our side and I expect him to do a phenomenal job."
Perhaps the Yankees won't enter Game 5 with a quiet confidence, as winning two dramatic games in back-to-back nights at home is a loud and clear message. But there's no doubt that the pressure has mounted on the defending AL champions, who are now one loss away from blowing a series that felt nothing but over on Saturday. Yes, to crush a pitcher twice in a five-game set is difficult -- especially when that pitcher is of Kluber's caliber. But if it happened once, it could happen twice. "It definitely gives us some confidence going in. We have a good idea of the kind of stuff that he has," Gardner said. "He's a great pitcher, maybe the Cy Young winner... But we'll try to get CC some runs early in the game and go from there." The Yankees are 13-12 all-time in winner-take-all postseason games, and 4-4 in ALDS Game 5's. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. on Wednesday at Progressive Field. If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at thanslin@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.