Aaron Boone Announces Yankees' Pitching Plans for ALCS Games 4 and 5
By Adam Weinrib
Yankee fans, it's official: you won't have to worry about a bullpen game until you get over your next few hurdles.
After plenty of speculation following Wednesday's rainout, Aaron Boone has confirmed the NYY will be using the path of least resistance, getting their best starters lined up for the home games.
Masahiro Tanaka will follow up a masterful Game 1 start on full rest in Game 4, and Game 5 is likely to be James Paxton at home.
Masahiro Tanaka will start Game 4, and James Paxton is “likely” to start Game 5 for the Yankees. It’s TBD after that.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 16, 2019
The Astros, meanwhile, will re-up their first two games of the series, too, throwing Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander in enemy territory.
AJ Hinch has announced his starters for the next two games:
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) October 16, 2019
Game 4-Zack Greinke
Game 5-Justin Verlander
All of this lines up properly. Paxton has been near-untouchable on his home turf, and there's certainly a better shot at winning that game in the Bronx than in Houston. Simply put, down 2-1, Tanaka had to be the choice in the fourth game. Worry about today.
Now, if this series somehow goes the distance, he could be available out of the bullpen in Game 7, when Boone is forced to be at his most flexible. With plenty to be determined, this declaration was the necessary first step.