The New York Yankees take the field tonight, at 7:37 pm ET, in Progressive Field to face the Cleveland Guardians in a pivotal Game 3 of the American League Division Series. The Guards came from behind to win Game 2 4-2 on Friday, and will look to take the third clash in front of their fans.
In order to avoid such a scenario, these three Yankees need to step up:
Aaron Judge
The like AL MVP selection has been lost at the plate during the series. He hit 62 home runs with a .311 batting average and 131 RBI, but Cleveland pitching has had his number during the first two games of the ALDS.
Judge is, heading into Game 3, 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts, a walk, a run scored, and a stolen base. The Yankees have no business winning this series if Judge is going to strike out every time he steps on the mound, so he is definitely one who needs to step up.
The Yankees badly need a quality Severino start
Luis Severino
Luis Severino had a fine season for the Yankees, going 7-3 with a 3.18 in 19 starts. He covered 102 innings, struck out 112 hitters, and had a 1.00 WHIP. Those are solid numbers.
In his last start against the Texas Rangers, Severino hurled seven scoreless innings with just one walk and seven punchouts. That is exactly the kind of start the Yanks need from him tonight: at least seven frames would be amazing with the bullpen’s stamina in mind, but if he can go six while allowing one or no runs to cross the plate, New York would be in a good position to compete with the talented Triston McKenzie.
Harrison Bader
Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader already came through with a crucial home run on Game 1 to tie the action, back on Tuesday. However, the team needs contributions from the bottom of the lineup, and would love for Bader to get hot and show his good power-speed combo.
With his elite defense, he already has a solid floor. But if his bat can get more involved, the Yankees could potentially re-take control of the series tonight.