MLB Playoffs: Guardians-Yankees ALDS Game 5; Astros await

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians meet for the second consecutive night in the lone playoff game on the schedule.

This time, the American League Division Series will be decided in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium after New York avoided elimination Sunday by leveling the series at 2-2 with a 4-2 victory in Cleveland behind $324 million ace Gerrit Cole.

Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.80 ERA) makes his first career postseason start for the Guardians. Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.91) takes the mound for the Yankees after losing Game 2 in his playoff debut and first major league relief appearance.

Taillon surrendered two runs and three hits with no outs. Since October 5, Civale has not thrown, but he has won his last three starts with a 3.0 ERA. This season, the right-handed pitcher was placed on the injured list three times.

The winner will travel to Houston on Wednesday night for Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against Justin Verlander and the rested Astros.

Houston advanced to its sixth consecutive American League Championship Series as rookie Jeremy Pea homered in the 18th inning of Saturday’s 1-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners to cap a three-game Division Series sweep.