The Yankees were prepared for the possibility that a reliever like Louis Varland would serve as an opener for Toronto in Game 4 of the Division Series. That much was obvious in advance of a bullpen game.
In the wee hours on Wednesday, the Jays indeed named Varland — who throws 100 mph gas but allowed home runs Tuesday night to Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. — their starter.
The Yankees are also aware that starter Kevin Gausman has not yet thrown his standard between-starts bullpen session. That means that he is still fresh to provide bulk innings on three days rest on Wednesday, rather than start a potential Game 5 on Friday with an extra day rest.
Gausman has experience as a reliever earlier in his career, but has lately said that an extra day’s rest makes him more effective. The Jays might not be eager to burn him on Wednesday, but by holding him back from his bullpen, they have at least created the option for him.
It is also worth nothing that Wednesday would probably be Trey Yesavage’s throw day.
“Everyone is available tomorrow,” Jays manager John Schneider said after Game 3.
With or without Gausman pitching Wednesday night, manager Aaron Boone will counter the pen game strategy with lefty/righty balance.
“I'll probably lean towards a little more true balance in the order … [to] try and make them make some tough decisions throughout,” Boone said after Game 3.
More concretely, this means that the Yanks will use a lineup of five left-handed hitters and four righties, in alternating order, I’m told. That will make it more challenging for Schneider to stick with a given reliever for long stretches.
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