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The Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees will have almost every pitcher available to get through Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Monday.
New York leveled the series after suffering consecutive defeats at the hands of the youngest team in baseball.
Jameson Taillon and Aaron Civale are listed as the starters for the decisive Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, but their time on the mound could be one trip through the order or just four or five innings because of the high stakes involved on Monday night.
Taillon and Civale have not been the best hurlers on either roster, but they are the most rested starters and will get the ball to start because of that.
One mistake by any pitcher could warrant a change out of Aaron Boone and Terry Francona. All it could take is one big inning to make the difference in the elimination game.
Whichever team wins Game 5 will be at a disadvantage going into the ALCS on Wednesday against the Houston Astros, but that is a problem either manager will deal with once Monday's game concludes.
How Long Will Game 5 Starters Last?
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Taillon and Civale were held in reserve for this exact scenario.
The Yankees used Taillon once in the series, and he gave up two earned runs in the 10th inning of Game 2. The right-handed hurler has not been since on the mound since then.
Civale has not pitched in either the Wild Card Round or the ALDS. He last threw on October 5, when he gave up two earned runs on five hits in six innings.
There should be concerns on both sides regarding how long either starter can last given their circumstances.
Both teams would love for Taillon and Civale to get through the order at least once and then figure out their decisions from the fourth inning on.
Taillon has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last four home starts. He could be better suited for success as a starter than as a late-inning option. If he settles into a rhythm, the Yankees may ride him until the fourth or fifth inning.
Civale lasted at least five innings in each of his last five regular-season starts, but the 12-day layoff between outings could hurt his rhythm on the mound.
The best-case scenario for both teams is that the two starting pitchers lock in for five or six innings and then allow the premier bullpen arms to take over.
However, both sides have to prepare for the worst-case situation in which Taillon and/or Civale get rocked in the opening innings and the pitching decisions become even tougher.
Cleveland Holds Edge with Bullpen Arms
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Cleveland holds the edge if Game 5 is tight in the later stages, and it needs a few shutdown innings.
It could have Civale pitch five innings and then go right to its top three bullpen arms to finish off the next four frames. That situation would be even more possible if the Guardians produce a lead after the fifth. They have combined for 10 strikeouts and zero earned runs allowed in the ALDS.
The only concern Cleveland should have is the potential for James Karinchak to walk batters in key situations. He has three walks in the series.
If the 27-year-old avoids the free passes, Cleveland is set up to have the better set of late-inning arms available compared to the AL East champion.
New York used Clay Holmes and Wandy Peralta to close out Game 4 behind Gerrit Cole. Peralta, Jonathan Loaisiga and Lou Trivino all threw in Game 3.
Cleveland has the fresher and better bullpen arms, which could be the difference-maker if Game 5 is decided by one run.
Yankees Need to Bank on Power at Plate
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The Yankees can make Cleveland's top bullpen arms nonexistent to Game 5 if their bats shine inside Yankee Stadium.
New York has seven home runs in the series compared to three from the AL Central champion.
Its power numbers are impressive when you consider Aaron Judge is 2-for-16 in the series with one home run from Game 3.
Harrison Bader's personal home run tally equals Cleveland's team total. Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton and Oswaldo Cabrera each have home runs as well.
New York only has 22 hits in the series, which is 14 less than its opponent, but the big hits have come through the long ball.
Civale conceded two home runs in each of his last two regular-season starts against the Kansas City Royals and let up 14 as a whole, including two versus the Yankees in Cleveland on July 2.
The Yankees have proved they can use their power to beat the Guardians already in the series, and they can do so again to set up a blockbuster clash with the Astros in the ALCS.

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