Tanner Bibee of the Guardians and Carlos Rodon of the Yanks start ALCS Game 5

CLEVELAND – The Guardians will turn to right-hander Tanner Bibee on three days of rest to avoid playoff elimination in Saturday's ALCS showdown against the New York Yankees.

Bibee, 25, started Game 2 but lasted just 1⅓ innings in a 6-3 loss, giving New York a 2-0 series lead. Bibee allowed five hits and three runs, two earned, while throwing just 39 pitches.

“He was our best pitcher all year,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “I can’t wait to get him out again. He feels good. He feels ready.”

Bibee posted a 12-8 regular season record with a 3.47 ERA, his second in the majors. He started two games during Cleveland's ALDS win over Detroit and allowed two runs over 8⅔ innings without dropping a decision.

Game 5 on Saturday will be his first appearance in the major leagues after three days of rest.

“It's not like I went out there and threw 100 pitches and am about to go out there and do it again,” Bibee said. “I threw 39 throws. I feel good. I’m ready to go.”

Bibee will face New York's Game 1 starter, left-hander Carlos Rodon. Rodon held the Guardians to one run over six innings, striking out nine, while securing the victory at Yankee Stadium.

He enjoyed great success during his career at Progressive Field, going 6-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 13 appearances.

“I don’t know (why),” Rodon said. “It’s just one of those things where as a player sometimes you show up in certain spots and play well.”

The Yankees lead the series 3-1 after their 8-6 win in Game 4 on Friday night.