The Yankees have won Clarke Schmidt’s last two starts and they’ve also won their last four against Cleveland. With Jose Ramirez not hitting for Cleveland they have no zip in their step and look like a dead man walking. I watched the first two games and saw no hope for Cleveland. That's sad to say in the championship series but it's how I felt. But this is who Cleveland is. They thought they could go far with a great bullpen and a subpar starting staff and they did. Aaron Judge should hit another home run because he has to have another once he opens the seal. They come in bunches with that guy. Yankees win.

Jose Trevino should be behind the plate for the Yankees tonight as Aaron Boone said last night that Austin Wells would likely get a day off today. Trevino was an astounding 13 for 70 this year when attempting to throw runners out, and with Cleveland in a 2-0 hole here, I think their offense gets scrappy and they do whatever they need to do to get a win. The Guardians ranked 2nd in the AL this year for stolen bases and Jose Ramirez has one again put himself in the MVP discussion due to his power/speed combo. When runners are on base tonight, they should ALL be looking to steal against Trevino, but Jose Ramirez at 3-1 is the main guy I'm backing!

This is not the top pitching matchup of this ALCS, we might expect these teams to clear 7 runs in Game 3 by Lake Erie. Clarke Schmidt looks perhaps the weak link in the Yankees rotation at the moment, as he's not lasting beyond five innings in recent starts, and a very so-so 4.50 ERA in his last three starts. Meanwhile, Matthew Boyd isn't lasting much longer (or, make that any longer) lately for Cleveland, as he hasn't been on the mound for more than 4 1/3 innings since September 6 vs. the Dodgers. With Aaron Judge perhaps warming up after hitting his first homer of this postseason in Game 2, at least the Yankees offense looks like it's ready to rock. Play Yankees-Guardians Over

Goes without saying that Game 3 is the series for the Guards, and Cleveland did have the majors' best home record during the season. Lefty Matthew Boyd has been terrific off Tommy John surgery and not allowed a run in two outings this postseason. New York was under .500 during the year vs. southpaws. Guardians all-world closer Emmanuel Clase hasn't even pitched in the series because his team hasn't come close to late-inning lead yet. I expect a lot of Cleveland small-ball in a return home: stolen bases, bunts, hit and run, etc., and maybe steal one game. It needs to do whatever necessary to score first.