Fansided

Guardians fans bash Terry Francona for starting Aaron Civale in Game 5

ByMark Powell|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians pulls Aaron Civale #43 from the game during the first inning against the New York Yankees in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians pulls Aaron Civale #43 from the game during the first inning against the New York Yankees in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Guardians manager Terry Francona may have made a fatal error by starting Aaron Civale in Game 5 over the likes of ace Shane Bieber on short rest.

If an opposing manager makes a bad decision, the Yankees have the sort of lineup to make them pay. Terry Francona, who managed the Boston Red Sox for years, knows this all too well.

Tito went with Aaron Civale to start Game 5, despite a rainout last night which pushed back the start time to Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. Theoretically, Francona could have started Shane Bieber, the team’s ace, on short rest with a chance to win the series on the road.

Instead, Francona stuck with his guns and started Aaron Civale. How’d that go, you ask? Not great.

https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/1582468921843589120

Guardians: Should Terry Francona have started Shane Bieber?

The Yankees hit Civale well this season, as the 27-year-old had an ERA over 10.00 in two starts against them.

As recently as one hour before first pitch, Yanks Go Yard’s Adam Weinrib himself couldn’t believe the Guardians were pitching Civale instead of Bieber, despite his lack of experience throwing on short rest:

"“Apparently, Guardians manager Terry Francona is in on the conspiracy. Before Game 5 on Monday, he pledged to start Aaron Civale in the game, no matter what, while holding Bieber back for either a strange relief outing or Game 1 of the ALCS in Houston.”"

After Stanton’s home run, Francona’s decision-making looks even more suspect. Guardians fans and MLB pundits on social media openly questioned him, and it’s easy to see why.

https://twitter.com/astros_dude/status/1582468472163880960

Tony La Russa is a great manager, but to be compared to him at this point in his career is not a compliment.

https://twitter.com/TomScibelli/status/1582468739466829824

Who needs an annual contender for the AL Cy Young award when you can start Civale instead?

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