The set-up: The Cleveland Indians had a 22-game winning streak while finishing the regular season with 33 wins in their last 37 games. They then took a two-games-to-none lead over the Yankees in their ALDS matchup. However, the Yankees returned to the Bronx and won 1-0 and 7-3 and now, all of a sudden, the Indians are in a "winner-take-all" Game 5 to advance to an ALCS matchup with the Houston Astros. The Cleveland Indians can't lose three in a row, roght? After all, they haven't lost three games in a row since July 30-Aug. 1 but then, it had been almost seven weeks between back-to-back setbacks before they dropped Games 3 and 4 of the ALDS to these pesky Yankees.

The pitching matchup: Game 5 will be a "re-hook" of Game 5, as CC Sabathia squares off against Corey Kluber in a battle of former Cy Young Award winners. Sabathia began his career with the Indians (first 7 1/2 years) and many argued that he was pulled too early in Game 2. Girardi lifted Sabathia after 77 pitches and 5 1/3 innings,when he had retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. He left with a five-run lead before watching the bullpen let him down. Sabathia is 9-5 with a 4.47 ERA in 20 career postseason appearances and 4-3 with 3.63 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Indians (teams are 5-7). Most feel as if Kluber is the AL favorite to win another Cy Young in 2017 but he sure didn't "look the part" in Game 2. Kluber suffered through his worst start of the season in Game 2, serving up six runs on seven hits (including two HRs) in just 2 2/3 innings. However, he was let off the hook when Cleveland stormed back for a 9-8 win in 13 innings. Despite that horrific outing, Kluber is 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA in eight career starts vs. New York (team is 6-2).

The pick: Both managers have faced criticism this series and the one who walks away with a loss in Game 5, will likely be 'roasted' (Girardi could lose his job0. Much was made of Fraancona using Bauer on three days' rest in Game 4 but Francona's plan all along was to have his ace, on normal rest, e avaailable bfor a possible Game 5 (the case here!). "It's hard to imagine giving it to somebody better," Francona told reporters of starting Kluber. "We tried to set up for a five-game series with plans, contingency plans, and pretty much everything is -- there's been a lot of things happen, and we go to Game 5, we're at home, and we have Kluber. It will be -- we're looking forward to it." The home team has won all four games so far and nothing changes here. Make the Indians an 8* play.