CLEVELAND — Jameson Taillonhe was on the mound together with the Yankees’ season in the balance before. Just last year with the Yankees needing to win Game 162 to clinch a wild-card spot, Taillon was called upon to extend New York’s season. Taillon was injured in his first start, but he managed to get through 3 1/3 innings of scoreless work. Tampa Bay.
For the second straight year, it’ll be Taillon on the mound for the Yankees in a win-or-go-home game for the Yankees after their 4-2 win over the Guardians on Sunday night. The Yankees have used Taillon as a bullpen option in all four of their games. Aaron Boone, Yankees manager noted at the beginning of the series that he was relying on only a three man rotation because of the set-up of the schedule. However, a rainout prior to Game 2 shattered that plan and New York had to adapt. Taillon hasn’t pitched a full starter’s workload since Oct. 4 but said he’s kept his same training regimen in place to be ready for this possibility and thinks he could give 90 to 100 pitches if needed.
He’s now the first option for the Yankees in a chance to advance to the ALCS versus Houston.
“There is definitely going to be some added adrenaline and stuff when you step foot in Yankee Stadium,” Taillon said Sunday night. “I will keep my day as normal as possible. We need to be prepared for what the fans will do.
