It’s Day 3 of a post-2026 Yankees world, and the MLB playoffs continue on without the Bombers. Tonight, the Rays will learn who they’ll be playing in the ALCS on Monday at Tropicana Field, as the 2-0 advantage that the White Sox once held vanished upon their return to the South Side. The Guardians won both games in Chicago and can complete the 2001 Yankees-esque comeback with just one win tonight back home in Cleveland. No matter who emerges, they will be heavy underdogs against the top-seeded Rays.
On the site today, Josh discusses the apathy he, and surely many other fans, are feeling after another Yankees exit that felt just so typical. Later, John writes up David Bednar for our Yankees Birthday series, while Kento analyzes Aaron Boone’s perplexing decision to bat Trent Grisham leadoff in Game 3, and Matt offers his biggest gripes with the Boone Era. With the NLCS already set and beginning tomorrow night, Peter also previews that Dodgers/Brewers rematch, which Milwaukee is hoping is a lot closer than the 2025 version.
Today’s Playoff Matchup:
American League Division Series Game 5
(winner-take-all)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox
(RHP Gavin Williams vs. RHP Sean Burke)
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: TBS/HBO Max, TruTV, Univision
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Questions/Prompts:
1. Will any of the Yankees significant pending free agents (David Bednar, Trent Grisham, Paul Blackburn, Jazz Chisholm Jr.) be back with the team next year?
2. Does tonight’s Game 5 between the Guardians and White Sox intrigue you? Or are you left feeling empty, both because of the Yankees’ exit from the postseason, and the underwhelming quality of both these AL Central squads?
