Last night was magical, but the Yankees’ backs are still very much against the wall tonight in Game 4 at 7:08 PM (6:08 PM CDT) (FS1, FOXONE). Will there be more fireworks in the Bronx, or will the Yankees’ season end?

The Yankees will send their rookie righty Cam Schlittler (4-3, 2.96 ERA, 75 K) to the mound tonight as he looks to match the eight scoreless innings he posted against Boston last Thursday. Schlittler has his work cut out for him, though, because the last time he faced the Blue Jays, they forced him out of the game in less than two innings.

Meanwhile, Toronto will be pitching a bullpen game, with RHP Louis Varland (4-3, 2.97 ERA, 75 K) getting the spot start. Varland gave up two home runs to the Yankees last night, but his 100-mph fastball makes him a key part of Toronto’s bullpen. Clearly, the Blue Jays are trying to challenge the Yankees early.

The lefty Eric Lauer is supposed to get the bulk job out of the bullpen tonight, but there’s a chance he splits the load with the righty Trey Yesavage, whose high arm angle and dominant splitter blanked the Yankees when he started Game 2. Kevin Gausman is less likely to pitch in relief, but if Toronto takes a big lead, they’ll probably use anyone they can.

The most eligible relievers for the Blue Jays, other than Yesavage, are Yariel Rodríguez, Seranthony Domínguez, and Jeff Hoffman. But with the day off tomorrow, regardless of the result of this game, John Schneider can use whomever he wants, even if they pitched last night. Therefore, Aaron Boone is putting Paul Goldschmidt in the Yankees’ starting lineup instead of Ben Rice.

“It’s just to not be in that situation early where you’re just giving them good matchups,” said Boone. He has laid out a balanced lineup for tonight’s game to have platoon options in later innings. The Blue Jays are making a lineup change as well, substituting Addison Barger in for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Just because the Yankees won last night doesn’t mean the Blue Jays will be any less aggressive in Game 4. Also, just because Toronto is pitching a bullpen game doesn’t mean their pitchers won’t have success. The Yankees need to be careful with Schlittler, too, especially because of his young age, for the Blue Jays have dominated every Yankees’ starter in this series so far. Boone must be aggressive if Schlittler begins to falter.

The last time Schlittler faced the Blue Jays, he admitted he was tipping his pitches. Since then, he’s improved his numbers tremendously. It will be interesting to watch two hard-throwing righties open this game, and hopefully the Yankees can cash in early. If they grab an early lead, perhaps the Blue Jays will pin all their hopes on Game 5 in Toronto.

But remember, tonight is an elimination game. The fourth straight elimination game at Yankee Stadium this postseason. So, however it happens, the Yankees must find a way to win.

Starting Pitching:

Starting Lineups:

Bench: C Tyler Heineman, OF Davis Schneider, INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Myles Straw

Bullpen: LHP Justin Bruihl, LHP Mason Fluharty, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Seranthony Domínguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Tommy Nance, RHP Yariel Rodríguez, RHP Louis Varland

Bench: C JC Escarra, OF Jasson Domínguez, UT Ben Rice, UT José Caballero, UT Amed Rosario

Bullpen: LHP Tim Hill, RHP David Bednar, RHP Paul Blackburn, RHP Fernando Cruz, RHP Camilo Doval, RHP Will Warren, RHP Luke Weaver, RHP Devin Williams

Game Odds (10/7, ESPN Bet):

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The Yankees are projected to win this game by 60.3% (ESPN).

Umpires:

HP: Tony Randazzo
1B: Dan Bellino
2B: Roberto Ortiz
3B: Chris Segal
LF: Adam Hamari
RF: Jordan Baker

AccuWeather Gametime Weather: 67, Cloudy, Wind NNW 15 mph

Venue: Yankee Stadium, 1 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451

Coverage: FS1

Money Line: NYY -180 (ESPN Bet)

Schedule:

7:08 PM (6:08 PM CDT): 2025 American League Division Series (ALDS), Game 4: NYY (1-2) vs. TOR (2-1); FS1, FOXONE; SP: RHP Louis Varland (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 3 K) vs. RHP Cam Schlittler (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 K)