Yankees' Taillon on Game 5 start: 'Keep it simple, keep it mellow'
Jameson Taillon of the New York Yankees on the mound during the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians in ALDS Game 2 at Yankee Stadium on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Credit: Jim McIsaac
CLEVELAND — Jameson Taillon’s first career postseason appearance didn’t go so well.
He came on in relief for the first time in his career and allowed two runs without recording an out to suffer the loss in the 10th inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Guardians.
Taillon will be back on the mound in a more familiar role for Monday night’s deciding Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. He’ll be the starting pitcher as the Yankees attempt to advance to the ALCS.
“There is definitely going to be some added adrenaline and stuff when you step foot in Yankee Stadium,” Taillon said Sunday night after the Yankees staved off elimination with a 4-2 victory at Progressive Field. “I will keep my day as normal as possible. Knowing that the fans are going to bring it over the top, I think it is important for us to just prepare. Do our research, do our studying, do our pregame work and try to keep it mellow, knowing that when you get out there, obviously, we’ll be excited for the moment with the fans going crazy and stuff.
“For me, I’m a guy who if I get too far outside of myself and my game plan, that’s not going to work for me. I need to just keep it simple, keep it mellow, execute pitches and do my job.”
Harrison Bader, who saw plenty of Taillon when he was with St. Louis, said of the righthander starting on Monday: “I wouldn’t want it any other way. It is a must-win game. If there is ever anyone you want to give the ball to . . . I have complete confidence in what he does and there’s a reason why he’s in that position.”
Taillon won 14 games in the regular season before getting shifted to the bullpen for the early games in this series. His first career relief appearance ended in a loss, but manager Aaron Boone crafted his ALDS plans so Taillon would be ready to start Game 5 if needed.
He’s needed.
Gerrit Cole, who won Game 4, said his advice to Taillon is “just go out and do what he did to clinch the division against Toronto. That was some good stuff.”
On Sept. 27 in Toronto, Taillon allowed two runs in 7 1⁄3 innings as the Yankees clinched the AL East title. He started again on Oct. 4 at Texas.
Given that his relief outing in Game 2 lasted only three batters — two bloops and a blast with no outs recorded — Taillon should be plenty rested for Game 5.
He’ll be backed up by Domingo German, who hasn’t pitched in the ALDS. Boone said he’ll have Game 2 starter Nestor Cortes ready in the bullpen if needed.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
More Yankees headlines
