CC Sabathia, Corey Kluber Set For Rematch In Game 5 Of The ALDS As New York Heads Back To Cleveland With The Winner Heading To The ALCS

Does this pitching matchup look familiar?

CC Sabathia and Corey Kluber will each take the mound in game five at Progressive Field like they did in game two when New York lost a heartbreaker but would they be at this point if it wasn't for the loss?

When this American League Division Series presented by Doosan progressed from Progressive Field, the math, the momentum, the magic -- all of these things were assembled in obstruction of the Yankees. The Yanks had just given up Game 2 in epic fashion, and an Indians team that had not only completed a classic comeback but had won 35 of its previous 39 baseball games needed only to go to the Big Apple and seal the deal. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

But with that deal decidedly unsealed, and with the Yankees riding high after their Bronx rebirth, it's impossible to know what to expect out of Game 5 tonight (8 ET, FS1) at Progressive Field. From Corey Kluber trying to avenge a rare misstep to CC Sabathia trying to eliminate his old club at the tail end of his Yankee contract to Edwin Encarnacion trying to boost the Tribe bats so soon after an awful ankle injury, there's intrigue all over the place. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

That's what we love about it. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"We have a really exciting game that's in front of us," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

Kluber, a presumed AL Cy Young Award favorite in his prime, vs. Sabathia, a former AL Cy Young Award winner in his back pages, might look like a mismatch. But isn't that what we thought going into Game 2, before Kluber got clobbered and Sabathia stepped up with 5 1/3 effective innings against his old squad? "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"It will be a great matchup," Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said. "I feel great about our chances with CC on the mound. Every time he goes out, he's a big-game pitcher and always has been." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

You might not be surprised to hear the Indians feel much the same about Kluber, who, notably, will be making this start on regular rest, as opposed to the extra rest he rode into his Game 2 clunker. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"What we've come to expect out of Corey is excellence," right fielder Jay Bruce said. "I think he expects it out of himself. The other day, baseball happened. He didn't throw eight shutout [innings] and strike out everyone like he usually does. But he'll be ready to go, and I couldn't ask for a better guy to be out on the mound." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

Without giving specifics, Kluber said he's identified an issue that caused command problems in Game 2, and he's been mentally prepping for Game 5 all along. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"You don't want to be kind of caught with your pants down," he said. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

It might seem that returning home, where they'll be wearing white pants, is advantage enough for the Indians. But did you know that home teams are just 13-17 in all Game 5 scenarios in the Division Series, including just a 6-14 mark over the past 15 seasons (including the Nationals losing to the Dodgers last year)? And returning home certainly didn't do the Tribe any favors when it surrendered a 3-1 advantage in last year's World Series against the Cubs. "according tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

So hey, you might look at it the other way and assume the Yankees will ride their good vibes from Games 3 and 4 right on into the AL Championship Series presented by Camping World against the Astros. But we have pretty recent evidence to suggest "vibes" are not exactly an accurate indicator of anything. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

In other words, take everything you might assume about this game and toss it into Lake Erie. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

In a winner-take-all situation, especially, anything goes. The Indians avoided using Andrew Miller in Game 4 and likewise the Yankees with Aroldis Chapman. It's all hands on deck as both clubs try to get to the ALCS. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

The Indians, clearly, need to get their lineup going. With Encarnacion unavailable for Games 3 and 4 because of a sprained ankle sustained in Game 2, the short bench and the lack of big hits from a banged-up roster in which team MVP Jose Ramirez has struggled and Lonnie Chisenhall (calf) and Michael Brantley (ankle) still aren't completely back to 100 percent has caught up to the club. Encarnacion did some running and took at-bats in a simulated game during Tuesday's workout. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"I think he'll be OK," Francona said. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

The pressure is on a Tribe team that was the class of the AL this year and has spent all season awaiting its shot at redemption in the World Series. The Yankees, on the other hand, were unexpected entrants into October (relative to preseason prognostications, anyway) and seem to have been enlivened by the experience of fighting for their postseason lives in the AL Wild Card Game against the Twins, and when faced with 2-0 and 2-1 deficits in this ALDS. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

"We know we're facing a great pitcher," Yanks manager Joe Girardi said. "But there's a lot of confidence in that room, and they pick each other up, and they grind out at-bats, and pitchers pick each other up and make big pitches." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

The biggest pitches of this ALDS await. Strike all assumptions about this series. All that matters is what's ahead."according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171010258100272/yanks-tribe-winner-to-alcs-8-et-tonight/?game_pk=526481

As for New York and Cleveland's last game, New York tied up the series Monday.

The Luis Severino that New York fans all know turned in a stellar performance Monday night in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium after his set back in the wild -card game against Minnesota so it's back to Cleveland New York goes for game five of the American League Division Series.

The Yankees have now faced the prospect of their season ending three times in a week, gaining confidence with each victory. These "Baby Bombers" have found a way to play their best with everything on the line, and now they believe that the Indians could be exactly where they want them. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Luis Severino struck out nine over seven strong innings, Aaron Judge mashed a two-run double and Gary Sanchez homered as the Yankees rolled to a 7-3 win in Game 4 of the American League Division Series presented by Doosan on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"We know what type of team we have here," Judge said. "We're a team that battles and keeps fighting. We never waver no matter what the situation or where we're at in the season. We're just going to keep battling." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

The win evened the best-of-five series at 2-2, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5 on Wednesday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Ace Corey Kluber will start for the Tribe, while the Yanks are set to counter with lefty CC Sabathia. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"We know we're facing a great pitcher, but there's a ton of confidence in that room," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They pick each other up and grind out at-bats, and pitchers pick each other up and make big pitches. So it should be a lot of fun on Wednesday." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Indians starter Trevor Bauer had silenced the Yankees in the ALDS opener, firing 6 2/3 scoreless frames, but Game 4 was a different story as manager Terry Francona brought the right-hander back on short rest. Bauer lasted just 1 2/3 innings this time, with the Yanks patiently building up his pitch count before striking for four unearned runs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"The whole night, we made it hard on ourselves to win," Francona said. "We kept trying, but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot. We can't not finish plays or, you know, not make plays. It just makes it really difficult." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

The first of two key errors by third baseman Giovanny Urshela opened the door as Todd Frazier smashed an RBI double, Aaron Hicks stroked a run-scoring single and Judge ripped his first hit of the ALDS. Including a 1-0 loss in Sunday's Game 3, the Indians did not lead at any time during their visit to the Bronx, and they are 3-16 in their past 19 chances to close out a postseason series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"I don't think any of us were going into this thinking we were going to win every single game," Indians center fielder Jason Kipnis said. "I don't think we went into this thinking there'd be no adversity, no part of the process that we had to overcome. We know this is the playoffs. Every team that's left is still good. Everyone comes to play. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"That being said, we were either tight or flat, whatever you want to label it these last two games. But you also tip the caps to the Yankees. They played well." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Severino had vowed to produce a different result than in the AL Wild Card Game, when he lasted just one-third of an inning against the Twins. Monday's performance was more in line with what the All-Star right-hander showed all year, as he permitted three runs on just four hits in a performance that prompted serenades from the crowd of 47,316.  "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"I was feeling great. The location on my pitches was great," said Severino, who became the youngest Yankees starter to notch a postseason victory since Dave Righetti in 1981. "Of course I heard the stadium calling my name. I just want to go over there, try to have fun and help the team win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Carlos Santana put the Tribe on the board in the fourth with a two-run homer that landed in Monument Park. Roberto Perez trimmed the deficit further with a solo shot off Severino in the fifth, but Frazier scored on a Brett Gardner sacrifice fly and Sanchez cracked his second postseason homer off Bryan Shaw in the sixth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

The Yankees capitalized on a sloppy second inning for the Indians, producing four two-out hits that sent Bauer to the showers. Urshela was smoked in the left ankle by Starlin Castro's one-out liner, and with Frazier batting, Castro advanced to second base on Perez's passed ball. Frazier then jumped on a 3-1 curveball from Bauer, lacing it down the left-field line for the Yanks' first big hit of the evening. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"Any time a team like Cleveland makes a mistake, you've got to capitalize," Judge said. "With their lineup, their pitching staff, you've got to capitalize on mistakes." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

: Indians pitchers had vowed not to let Judge beat them, feeding the rookie slugger a steady diet of breaking balls to hold him hitless with nine strikeouts in his first 11 ALDS at-bats. On the eighth pitch of his at-bat against Bauer, Judge got a 96.3-mph fastball he could drive, connecting for a two-run double down the left-field line to give the Yankees a 5-0 lead at the time. Judge also struck out four times, the second time in the series he has done so. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"He's been patient and he continues to be patient," Girardi said. "They're making a lot of good pitches on him, there's no doubt about it. But he's maintaining his strike zone, and when he gets a pitch to hit, a lot of times, he's able to hit it. That is a huge hit." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

The Yanks have been waiting for an opportunity to exploit Kipnis' relative inexperience in center field, and they rolled the dice in the fifth inning for an important insurance run. With Frazier at third base and one out, Gardner lifted a fly ball to shallow center field. Frazier tagged up immediately, restoring New York's three-run lead as he slid past Perez and just ahead of Kipnis' throw. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"I talked to the other outfielders," Kipnis said. "It's one of those ones that's tough, just being the high one that you have to kind of wait under, that you can't really build the momentum to get behind the throw. But, no, you're not going to hear me make an excuse or anything like that. I'd like to make the play, and throw him out just for our defense, for our pitchers and for the game. But, he was safe. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"It's a new position. But, I think you guys have been Statcasting me enough. I'm not going to start second-guessing myself. I go out there and play and let my instincts take over. I'm not going to sit here and overthink stuff." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Dellin Betances' control problems resurfaced with two walks to start the eighth inning, as he threw eight of 12 pitches out of the strike zone before yielding to Tommy Kahnle. Acquired in July to bolster the bullpen, Kahnle enjoyed his most important outing for the Yankees thus far, striking out Kipnis, getting Jose Ramirez to fly out and fanning Jay Bruce to hold the four-run lead. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"You always have to have it in the back of your mind that one day you might be on a team that is in this situation," Kahnle said. "My whole life, I've been waiting for this moment. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"I thought my stuff was better than Game 1 tonight. Velo was up, curveball had more depth to it. I located pretty well. Just a couple little things went their way instead of mine. Double lands right on the line. Check swing that I thought he probably went. Umpire didn't see it the same way. Just as a team, we didn't play the greatest defense tonight, too. Little things in baseball games that beat you." -- Bauer "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

"It kind of got [in front of] the board. I missed it. It was a backed-up breaking ball, so I missed it on the scoreboard. Those things happen. There's no excuses. We've just got to get ready for Game 5." -- Perez, on the passed ball "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

seventh-inning single off Severino was the first hit by a designated hitter for either team in this ALDS. Designated hitters had been 0-for-26 to that point. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that far exceeded the previous record, which had been 18 such hitless at-bats between the Yanks and Twins in the 2004 ALDS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258049216/yankees-pin-down-indians-in-game-4-of-alds/

Left-hander CC Sabathia will take the mound for New York in game five. He has a record of 14-5 with a 3.69 earn run average. Sabathia will toe the rubber with the season on the line in Wednesday's Game 5. The veteran southpaw is 9-5 with a 4.47 ERA through 20 career playoff games (19 starts), including a strong 5 1/3 outing in Game 2. He will oppose Cleveland right -hander Corey Kluber who has a record of 18-4 with a 2.25 earn run average. Kluber will start the winner -take -all game on regular rest. He went 11-3 with a 1.67 earn run average in the regular season on his standard four days' rest. Kluber struggled in Game 2 however, yielding six runs in 2 2/3 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-indians/2017/10/11/526481#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526481

Will CC Sabathia pitch as well as he did in game two and be able to give his team a chance to advance to the ALCS? Will Cleveland be able to get their offense going against the 37 year old veteran left-hander? Will New York get to Corey Kluber early and often? Will Corey Kluber have a better outing this go around than he did in game two? Will New York or Cleveland execute their game plan and advance to the ALCS?

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on FS1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-indians/2017/10/11/526481#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526481