Matthew Boyd chosen as starting pitcher for Game 3 against Yankees, according to Guardians' decision
The Cleveland Guardians have chosen left-hander Matthew Boyd to pitch in the crucial Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Thursday.
After losing the first two games in New York, the Guardians are looking to turn the series around with three consecutive home games starting on Thursday.
According to Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, the team is always confident going into every game and loves playing in front of their fans at home. They are feeling good about having three games at home.
Boyd, who is 33 years old, did not allow a run in his two starts against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series. He had 10 strikeouts and gave up five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings.
Before this postseason, Boyd had only made one appearance in a playoff game, pitching one-third of an inning for the Seattle Mariners in the 2022 ALDS.
Boyd expressed his enjoyment of being a part of the postseason.
\"Personally, I have spent most of my nine seasons watching the playoffs from home,\" Boyd said. \"I also had one year in Seattle. It's one of those things where you're like, 'man, I know my time will come to get to do that.'
\"You just don't know what it feels like when you get out there. It's just kind of invigorating. It feels like Opening Day all over again, but that doesn't even do it justice.\"
New York will have right-hander Clarke Schmidt on the mound. In Game 3 of the ALDS, he allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings in a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Schmidt, who was previously announced as Thursday's starter, said he is not going to relax with the Yankees currently holding a 2-0 series lead.
\"I think in sports, two games might not seem like a lot, but they can change so quickly,\" said Schmidt, who is 28 years old. \"The momentum can change so quickly.
\"I feel like we show up and it almost feels like we're down in a sense in the locker room. We still have a job to do. We know that we're going on the road in a tough environment. It's business as usual.\"
