The Yankees should be quite happy there’s a Game 5 in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Guardians did the top-seeded Bronx Bombers a potentially massive favor by forcing a win-or-go-home game since the Tigers will now pitch AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal in the decisive game.
Had the Tigers won the series Thursday, Skubal would have lined up to start Game 1 against the Yankees and could have potentially started three games in the ALCS.
Now, should the Yankees face Detroit in the ALCS, it’s likely they would just face Skubal twice.
It’s still certainly possible the Guardians win Game 5 and this potential gift goes for naught. Cleveland still has home-field advantage in the series and outplayed its divisional rival in the regular season.
The Guardians lack a traditional ace — Tanner Bibee started and pitched well in Games 1 and 4, both Cleveland wins — and they have yet to name a starter for Game 5.
Game 2 starter Matthew Boyd could return on regular rest.
But should the upstart Tigers grab this series, and they are the Game 5 favorites at FanDuel with Skubal on the mound, the Yankees get a huge break.
Skubal already blanked the Guardians over seven innings in Detroit’s 3-0 win in Cleveland in Game 2, and he’s thrown 13 scoreless innings this postseason including the ALDS.
The ALCS begins Monday in The Bronx with Game 1 and Game 2 on tap Tuesday, and Skubal will not start on one or two days rest.
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He would be lined up on normal rest for Game 3 in Detroit on Oct. 17, and then could potentially start a Game 6 on short rest on Oct. 21 or take the ball in Game 7 on regular rest on Oct. 22.
The one caveat is this would place enormous pressure on the Yankees to grab the first two games at home. A split would turn the series into a best-of-five with Skubal going potentially twice and losing both would mean they have to win a Skubal outing to avoid an 0-3 hole.
Skubal should take home his first Cy Young after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings this season, helping Detroit make an unexpected playoff appearance.
The southpaw posted a 2.25 ERA against the Yankees this season, registering two no-decisions after allowing three runs spanning 12 innings and striking out 17 batters.
Skubal yielded one run in six innings in his most-recent start against the Yankees on Aug. 18 during the Little League Classic.
He’s 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA against the Yankees in five career starts.