Yankees' Clarke Schmidt hopes to avenge playoff moment against Guardians in 2022

CLEVELAND – For Game 3 of the ALCS on Thursday, Clarke Schmidt will return to the mound where he suffered perhaps his biggest defeat in the playoffs two years ago.

Schmidt was forced into an unfamiliar spot in the bottom of the ninth of Game 3 of the 2022 ALDS against Cleveland, replacing Wandy Peralta with two ons and one out and allowing a run-scoring single, an infield hit and then – after a strikeout – a two-run run , game-winning single for Oscar Gonzalez.

The Yankees won that series, but the loss still stings for Schmidt, who is starting at Progressive Field and looking to build a 2-0 series lead.

He will face left-hander Matt Boyd.

“You always remember failing and not doing your job,” Schmidt said of the ALDS loss when he was brought in because Aaron Boone said Clay Holmes was unavailable. “It was a learning moment for me about how to make adjustments and do better. I’m grateful for it, but it sucked at the moment.”

The right-hander pitched well in one start this season in Cleveland in April and made his first postseason start with a win last week in Kansas City – allowing two runs on four hits in 4 ²/₃ innings – so he won't be unknown the setting.

“I thought the playoff game (2022) would be my moment, but it didn’t go my way,” Schmidt said. “Afterwards I said, 'I can't wait to come back and get another chance.' I got this in Kansas City and I want to do it again (Thursday).”

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He pitched well during the regular season, but was sidelined for three months with a lat strain before making five starts in September. When healthy, the 28-year-old was as effective as any other member of the rotation with a 2.85 ERA.

And he will try to get the Yankees to within one game of the World Series, although the team's attitude is that nothing is certain.

“The dynamics can change so quickly,” Schmidt said of the series. “I feel like we're showing up and it almost feels like we're in the locker room in a way. We still have a job to do. We know we are in a difficult environment… We know the next two games are crucial games and we are trying to get the job done as quickly as possible.”