Elimination Game in the Bronx
The ALDS matchup between Cleveland and New York has been interesting to say the least. Both teams have split at home, and the game 2 rainout makes the Guardians Yankees game 5 matchup the fourth straight day these two play – nearly unheard of in postseason baseball.
The mantra for Monday’s elimination game is “if you can throw a pitch, be ready.” Both teams have burned through their pitching staffs but in a win-or-go-home matchup there’s no sense keeping anybody fresh.
In a lineup that features the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, it’s Harrison Bader that Cleveland has to find a way to get around on Monday night. People criticized New York for trading pitcher Jordan Montgomery to St. Louis for the center-fielder Bader, but all the former Cardinal has done is hit 3 HRs this series.
Any sign of a pitcher getting into trouble and they’ll be removed, so evaluating the game 5 starters isn’t going to give a huge betting edge. Cleveland will start with Aaron Civale who hasn’t pitched since September 30th and has never made a postseason appearance. Civale was 5-6 with a 4.92 ERA in the regular season but had a 10.00 ERA in two starts vs. the Yankees.
Unlike Civale, Yankees starter Jameson Taillon does have one postseason appearance, but it wasn’t a good one as he failed to get an out in Friday’s 4-2 loss, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs in relief. Maybe making that appearance calms Taillon’s nerves a bit, as he was 14-5 with a 2.91 ERA during the regular season. The right-hander gave up 1 ER over 5.0 IP in his lone start vs. Cleveland this season.
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Guardians (+138)| Yankees (-149) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-165) | Yankees -1.5 (+145) |
| Bovada | Guardians (+132)| Yankees (-158) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-165) | Yankees -1.5 (+140) |
| BetUS | Guardians (+135)| Yankees (-150) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-165) | Yankees -1.5 (+145) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Guardians (+138)| Yankees (-149) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-165) | Yankees -1.5 (+145) |
| Pinnacle | Guardians (+138)| Yankees (-150) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-157) | Yankees -1.5 (+142) |
| MyBookie | Guardians (+124)| Yankees (-151) | 7.5 | Guardians +1.5 (-163) | Yankees -1.5 (+132) |
Guardians Yankees Game 5 Prediction
Civale was rocked by the Yankees during the regular season but Taillon couldn’t get an out against Cleveland on Friday. That makes taking the side pretty interesting here, and even with three of the four games this series going ‘under’ the total you’d think there would be some offense on Monday night. Fatigued pitchers and a couple talented offenses makes this a high scoring game so take the over 7.5.
Yankees 6 – Guardians 5
