With the Dodgers and the Braves now out, can the Yankees be the next juggernaut to fail? The Guardians now have 2 kicks at the cat to win the series and are home in front of a delirious crowd today. The Yankees' Cole returns on 4 days' rest, off a fine 6 inning 1 run performance in Game one. He has done it all before, but has pitched past the 6th just once since August, and his ERA in the fifth and sixth innings is over 4.50. His ERA on the road is a half run worse than in Yankee stadium. The problem lies post-Cole as the Yankees bullpen is injured, weary and not what we have come to expect this year.

Quantrill gave up 4 runs over 5 innings in Game one, but he was much better than that down the stretch. He is 9-0 at home this year, and is a good candidate to bounce back today. Game one was his first real appearance in the post season, and he can and will be on a shorter leash than Cole, with the Guardians' superlative bullpen behind him.

The other advantage the Guardians have, beyond relief pitching, is coaching. There is no one better than Francona in the pressure-filled post season. Boone made some questionable decisions yesterday.