Guardians fans bash Terry Francona for starting Aaron Civale in Game 5
By Mark Powell
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.
Good job by Tito getting him out of there. Bad job by the organization to have him out there in the first place.
— Aaron Goldhammer (@HammerNation19) October 18, 2022
Tito starting Civale probably cost them the series.
— Colb (@___Colb___) October 18, 2022
What a terrible way to go out, man.
I get that everyone wants to bash Francona. Civale was just totally overwhelmed by the moment. Tito made a calculated risk. It backfired. He’s made so many brilliant decisions for so long that you just have to trust him. Today it didn’t work. Baseball is dumb sometimes.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) October 18, 2022
I generally trust Tito, but I don’t understand not starting Bieber today.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/astros_dude/status/1582468472163880960
I don’t believe Tito when he says Bieber isn’t available except for emergency. I think he pitches today.
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) October 18, 2022
I cannot even fathom that Tito started Civale today. He’s made great decisions all year and today was not the day to make a mistake. Absolutely piss poor attempt by Civale. Absolutely inexcusably pathetic.
— Vern Thompson (@VernThompson) October 18, 2022
Shane Bieber will be in Cleveland’s bullpen today, but he’s not set up to be a weapon, according to Francona.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 18, 2022
“If we empty our bullpen, he’s out there.”
Can’t believe the Cleveland Guardians didn’t start Shane Bieber.
— Southside Showdown (@SoxShowdown) October 18, 2022
That’s some Tony La Russa level decision making there.
Tony La Russa is a great manager, but to be compared to him at this point in his career is not a compliment.
Should’ve started Shane Bieber.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/TomScibelli/status/1582468739466829824
I cannot believe the Guardians didn’t start Shane Bieber when they were gift wrapped an extra day of rest. Even if he pitched the first two innngs that would’ve been better than Civale. I’ll take it though.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) October 18, 2022
Aaron Civale, who is not Shane Bieber, coming out of this elimination game with one out in the first. The Yankees are up 3-0 on the Guardians with a runner on.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 18, 2022
Who needs an annual contender for the AL Cy Young award when you can start Civale instead?
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