NEW YORK -- The Yankees' bullpen recorded 26 outs in the win-or-go home American League Wild Card Game against the Twins, and as they face a similar circumstance in tonight's Game 3 of the American League Division Series presented by Doosan, manager Joe Girardi expects to be able to deploy most of his power arms.
One notable exception may be right-hander Dellin Betances, who was on the mound for Yan Gomes' game-winning hit in Friday's 9-8, 13-inning ALDS Game 2 loss.
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"I'll have to see," Girardi said. "After a day off, we'll have to see. My guess is Dellin won't be available, and I'll have to check with the other guys."
Betances threw 35 pitches over two-plus innings in Friday's outing, pitching on back-to-back days after firing a clean 11-pitch frame in ALDS Game 1.
"I've felt great the last couple of times out," Betances said. "I feel like my breaking ball is back to where I've thrown it in the past. I feel like I was attacking the strike zone, so I felt better, but that last inning was a little tough. It's part of the game, and I've got to bounce back whenever my name is called again."
Of the pitchers who appeared in Game 2, right-hander Tommy Kahnle threw the fewest pitches (eight). Player Page for David Robertson returned to action after throwing a career-high 52 pitches in the Wild Card Game, tossing 25 in ALDS Game 2. Chad Green threw 41 pitches in the Wild Card Game and another 23 in ALDS Game 2.
"Hopefully we take the game on Sunday," Betances said. "We've been there a couple of days ago. I like our chances. This team has fought back all year."
No pressure
Didi Gregorius and Aaron Judge each contributed big hits in the Yankees' Wild Card Game victory over the Twins, but their bats have been silent through the first two ALDS contests. Girardi said that he has not seen signs of either player pressing.
"I don't necessarily think so," Girardi said. "It's two games. I think that's the key point there. I mean, if you look at the game they had against Minnesota, it was tremendous, and that was an elimination game. There was as much pressure in that game as the first two of these, obviously."
Gregorius is 0-for-9 with one walk, one run scored and three strikeouts against Tribe hurlers, while Judge is 0-for-7 with three walks, one run scored and five strikeouts. Judge said after Game 2 that he believes the Yankees can still come back to take the series.
"Just keep fighting," Judge said. "Anything can happen in the postseason. We're going to keep fighting and playing our game like we do. That's all you can do."
Lineup decisions
Girardi said that he is "probably" going to have Gary Sanchez catch Masahiro Tanaka in ALDS Game 3. Tanaka posted a 5.34 ERA (70 ER in 118 innings) in 21 games paired with Sanchez this season, compared to a 3.15 ERA (21 ER in 60 innings) when paired with backup catcher Austin Romine.
The manager added that he will "continue to look at things" regarding designated hitter Matthew Holliday, who has not yet appeared in the ALDS. Jacoby Ellsbury and Chase Headley have served as the Yankees' DHs through the first three postseason games. Holliday has faced Carrasco just once, going 1-for-4 with an RBI in a May 12, 2015, contest.
All rise
The Judge's Chambers will host New York's Finest for the first ALDS game at Yankee Stadium tonight. Students from the NYPD's 44th Precinct Law Enforcement Explorers Program will also join the officers in the special section of right-field seats named for Judge when the Yankees take on the Indians in Game 3.
The officers from the 44th Precinct have been invited to sit in the Judge's Chambers in memory of Karma Little, a pediatric cancer patient who passed away last month at the age of 7. Little, who dreamed of being a police officer, met the 44th Precinct's officer Sara Moran -- who will be in attendance tonight -- in 2016. Little did not know girls could become police officers until she met Moran, who invited her to NYPD headquarters to spend a day with the police department.
The Law Enforcement Explorers Program teaches teenagers interested in careers in law enforcement and criminal justice about the professions, while also providing community-service opportunities.
Seats in the Judge's Chambers during the postseason, the Yankees announced before the postseason began, are being "devoted to celebrating our youngest fans along with honoring every day heroes in our community."