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The Cleveland Guardians are turning to left-hander Matthew Boyd for the crucial Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Thursday.

The Guardians lost each of the first two games in New York and are hoping to turn around the series, beginning with Thursday’s first of three straight home games.

“We’re always confident going into every game,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We love playing at home. We love playing in front of our fans. I think for us, knowing we have three games here, we feel really good about it.”

Boyd, 33, didn’t allow a run in two starts against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series. He struck out 10 and gave up five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings.

Prior to this posteason, Boyd had made just one appearance in a playoff game. He pitched one-third of an inning for the Seattle Mariners in the 2022 ALDS.

Boyd said he is enjoying being part of the postseason.

“Personally for me, I’ve spent the better parts of nine seasons watching the playoffs from home,” Boyd said. “I also had one year in Seattle. It’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘man, I know my time is going to come to get to do that.’

“You just don’t know what it feels like when you get out there. It’s just kind of invigorating. It feels like Opening Day all over again, but that doesn’t even do it justice.”

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt will be on the mound for New York. He allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Schmidt, who was previously announced as Thursday’s starter, said he’s not about to relax with the Yankees holding a 2-0 series lead.

“I think just you know how sports are,” said Schmidt, 28. “Two games might not seem like a lot, might seem like right there on the tip of your finger, but it’s just — these games can change so quick, and the momentum can change so quick.

“I feel like we show up and it almost feels like we’re down in a sense in the locker room. We’ve still got a job to do. We know that we’re going on the road in a tough environment. It’s business as usual.”

–Field Level Media