Opposing Cam Schlittler on the mound for Game 4 on Wednesday: A parade of Blue Jays relievers.
As if that wasn’t enough of a potential advantage for the Yankees—at least on paper—they forced the Blue Jays to use six of their 10 relievers on Tuesday as they came back from a five-run deficit to win a 9-6 thriller in game 3 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium.
Hard-throwing righty Louis Varland, who gave up the bone-shattering, game-tying, three-run homer to Aaron Judge on Tuesday night, starts Game 4 as the opener for the Blue Jays stretch the rest.
“You try to take chances to win today, and it didn’t work out,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “Everyone is available [Wednesday]. “
The Blue Jays started Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber for the first three games of the series, but opted to carry an additional reliever on their roster over a fourth starter, which would have been Max Scherzer or Chris Bassitt.
But the Yankees were able to knock Bieber out of the game after just 2 ²/₃ innings on Tuesday, forcing the majority of the Blue Jays bullpen into the game.
That came after the Blue Jays used seven different relievers following Yesavage’s dominant Game 2 start on Sunday for a Monday.
“I understand what it looks like with the bullpen game [Wednesday] And all that stuff,” Schneider said of his early hook of Bieber.” Man, these guys are going to be ready to go. “
For the second straight game, Aaron Boone considered starting Paul Goldschmidt over Ben Rice at first base Tuesday night, only to stick with the young slugger over the veteran.
Once again, it was a testament to the belief the Yankees have in Rice to change the game in one swing.
“It’s what I believe Benny’s threat is,” Boone said before Rice went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice.
Rice’s sacrifice fly, which stretched the Yankees to make it 9-6 in the bottom of the sixth, came from Lefty Reliever Brendon Little. Goldschmidt then replaced him at first base in the top of the seventh.
Boone indicated he would be more inclined to add a fourth right-handed hitter to the Yankees lineup for Game 4, wanting better balance against the bullpen game, which could mean starting Goldschmidt early or having Rosario (who doubled and scored in the fifth inning after popping as a pinch hitter in the third inning) at third.
Boone and a trainer came out to check on José Caballero in the eighth inning after the utility man took a big swing and aggravated a finger injury he has been dealing with for the past few months.
But he stayed in the game to hit a single.
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