Crucial matchup for Cleveland tonight
Playoffs continue as the Guardians take on the Yankees in a critical Game 3 matchup. After New York took both games at home the series shifts to Cleveland where the Guardians are essentially in a must-win position entering today. They can not afford to go down 0-3 in this series against the Yankees and expect to bounce back. If New York takes this game tonight it’s almost a forgone conclusion they’d make it to the Fall Classic.
Going for the Guardians in this critical game is left-hander Matthew Boyd. After spending most of the year on the IL Boyd was able to make it back for 8 appearances with his new team and he looked good doing it, posting a 2.72 ERA over 39 2⁄3 innings. He’s been even better in the playoffs, having made two scoreless starts entering tonight’s contest. The Yankees are a whole different animal though and he’ll be getting challenged by one of the best offenses in the league.
Here is how the Guardians will line up behind their lefty in this must-win game:
Good to be home.#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/dzEKVjkiEG
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 17, 2024
That lineup will be going up against Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt. He’s set to make his second start of this postseason after he pitched 4 2⁄3 innings in the previous round against the Royals. He’s looked fantastic when he was on the mound this year, posting a 2.85 ERA during the regular season but over just 16 starts.
Here is how New York will set their starting nine for the first game in Cleveland:
Game 3 in Cleveland. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/J71UK11u3Q
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 17, 2024
First pitch is set for 2:08 P.M.