Nothing quite captures the imagination of a sports fan like the Game 7 of a playoff series. Well, for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians’ cases, it’s a winner-take-all Game 5 in the ALDS, which takes place on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
After going down 2-0 in the series, including a blown 8-3 lead in Game 2, the Yankees rallied to take both games at Yankee Stadium to force the elimination game.
Here is how you can watch:
TV- Fox Sports 1 (First pitch at 8:08 p.m.)
Fox Sports Go Link — Yankees vs. Indians Game 5
Reddit Live Stream Link — Yankees vs. Indians Game 5
YouTube and Facebook Live links are sure to be posted closer to game time.
The Indians are set to trot out their ace Corey Kluber, who the Yankees tagged for six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings in Game 2. New York will respond with the elder statesman of their pitching staff, CC Sabathia, who went 5.1 innings and allowed two earned runs in that same game.
Kluber has pitched in one winner-take-all postseason game in his career, which came in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. At home, Kluber allowed four earned runs on six hits in just four innings, though he would not be saddled with the loss as the Indians came back to force extra innings but ultimately lose.
While Sabathia has made 13 more postseason appearances than Kluber, he has only started one winner-take-all game himself. And it was a gem.
In Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Sabathia pitched a complete game while allowing just one run on four hits with nine strikeouts.
If facing the frontrunner for the American League Cy Young Award wasn’t enough, the Yankees have to try and beat an Indians team in their house. Cleveland has lost just three games at home dating back to Aug. 24.
But if history means anything in these kinds of games, the Yankees have a vast advantage:
Cleveland Indians in winner-take-all games
1997 ALDS Game 5: Defeated New York Yankees 4-3
1997 World Series Game 7: Lost to Florida Marlins 3-2 (11 innings)
1999 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Boston Red Sox 12-8
2001 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Seattle Mariners 3-1
2007 ALCS Game 7: Lost to Boston Red Sox 11-2
RECORD: 1-5
New York Yankees in winner-take-all games
1926 World Series Game 7: Lost to St. Louis Cardinals 3-2
1947 World Series Game 7: Defeated Brooklyn Dodgers 5-2
1952 World Series Game 7: Defeated Brooklyn Dodgers 4-2
1955 World Series Game 7: Lost to Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0
1956 World Series Game 7: Defeated Brooklyn Dodgers 9-0
1957 World Series Game 7: Lost to Milwaukee Braves 5-0
1958 World Series Game 7: Defeated Milwaukee Braves 6-2
1960 World Series Game 7: Lost to Pittsburgh Pirates 10-9
1962 World Series Game 7: Defeated San Francisco Giants 1-0
1964 World Series Game 7: Lost to St. Louis Cardinals 7-5
1976 ALCS Game 5: Defeated Kansas City Royals 7-6
1977 ALCS Game 5: Defeated Kansas City Royals 5-3
1981 Eastern Divisional Series Game 5: Defeated Milwaukee Brewers 7-3
1995 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Seattle Mariners 6-5
1997 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Cleveland Indians 4-3
2000 ALDS Game 5: Defeated Oakland Athletics 7-5
2001 ALDS Game 5: Defeated Oakland Athletics 5-3
2001 World Series Game 7: Lost to Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2
2003 ALCS Game 7: Defeated Boston Red Sox 6-5 (11 innings)
2004 ALCS Game 7: Lost to Boston Red Sox 10-3
2005 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Los Angeles Angels 5-3
2011 ALDS Game 5: Lost to Detroit Tigers 3-2
2012 ALDS Game 5: Defeated Baltimore Orioles 3-1
RECORD: 12-11
