This time, Jameson Taillon really will get the ball to start a playoff game.
The Yankees right-hander was set to be the ALDS Game 5 starter for about 24 hours, until the rain washed away those plans and allowed them to start Nestor Cortes on short rest for Tuesday’s clinching 5-1 win over the Guardians in The Bronx.
But now, the Yankees will call on Taillon to start Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday night in Houston in a highly anticipated showdown with the Astros. And a roof at Minute Maid Park will ensure Taillon takes the mound as scheduled.
“Just look forward to the opportunity,” Taillon said. “I started doing my preparation, prepared today like it was just a day before [a start], started doing my research on hitters. Went through my day physically and mentally like I was starting [Wednesday]. So I’ll be ready.”
Taillon, who threw in the Yankees bullpen before Tuesday’s game to prepare for a potential ALCS Game 1, was also technically available in a relief role against the Guardians in case of an emergency. But the Yankees did not need him, after Cortes went five strong innings and the bullpen took care of the rest, allowing him to stay on track for Wednesday’s start.
Taillon’s only other postseason appearance came in Game 2 of the ALDS, when he came out of the bullpen for the 10th inning and gave up a pair of bloop hits and a hard double that led to a pair of go-ahead runs. He was pulled without recording an out.
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The Astros have only seen Taillon once this season, back on June 23 at Yankee Stadium. Taillon gave up six runs on 10 hits across 5 ²/₃ innings of a no-decision as the Yankees went on to win the game 7-6.
“I faced them once, learned a couple lessons,” said Taillon, who declined to reveal those lessons. “They’re extremely deep, power, they do a little bit of everything, righties, lefties, good balance. So it’s a good challenge.”
Wednesday will mark Taillon’s first career playoff start, though he has pitched well in at least two big games as a Yankee. The first was in a must-win Game 162 last season, when he tossed 3 ¹/₃ shutout innings against the Rays on a balky ankle. Taillon also delivered 7 ¹/₃ strong innings of two-run ball against the Blue Jays last month to clinch the AL East.
Although he has not started a game since Oct. 4, Taillon said Tuesday he could have a full workload.
“If I’m going well,” he said, “I think I still have as many pitches in the tank as they need.”
