Sports
In an era of short starts, the bullpen is running out in MLB’s League Championship Series
CLEVELAND — For a generation, he was as much a part of October as fun-size Snickers bars and pumpkin-spice lattes. Andy Pettitte made 44 starts in baseball’s postseason, logging so many innings that nobody else comes within 50. And every time he took the mound, Pettitte knew the expectation.
“I was going to probably throw 100 pitches, no matter what,” Pettitte said late Friday in a familiar setting: the New York Yankees’ clubhouse on the precipice of a pennant. “It’s just a different game now.”
So it was in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, when the Yankees and Cleveland Guardians somehow escaped without every pitching arm in a sling. Surgeons nationwide must have been transfixed by the Yankees’ 8-6 victory.
Fourteen pitchers took the mound at Progressive Field, down from 15 in Game 3. The attrition has led to late-inning thrill rides in a series that’s been much tighter, game to game, than its National League counterpart.
Both series, though, have something in common: neither has featured a game in which both starters lasted five innings. And almost every reliever seems spent.
“The game’s built on bullpens now,” said Pettitte, now a special advisor for the Yankees. “(Teams) piece it together, and that’s tough. Now, being around all year, you kind of see how the game’s so different from when I played. It’s just a new brand of baseball. I don’t know whether it’s good or bad, but teams are built to do it now. Relievers weren’t built to do it back when I pitched.”
In the 1995 postseason, Pettitte’s first, there were 31 starts of at least 100 pitches. In the 2012 postseason, his last, there were 29 such starts. So far this year we’ve had two, by the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets’ Luis Severino.
In the 2009 postseason alone, Andy Pettitte racked up 30 2/3 innings pitched over five starts. (Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)
It would make more sense if the relievers were dominating. That’s not what we’ve seen this month, yet teams keep trying to bullpen their way to a title.
For Game 4 on Friday, the Yankees planned to give a night off to Luke Weaver, who had pitched in every postseason game and surrendered David Fry’s walk-off homer in Game 3. Yet even without their best reliever — and with his replacement, Tommy Kahnle, throwing all changeups to get the save, as Weaver warmed up — the Yankees expected minimal work from starter Luis Gil.
Gil was as fresh as he could be, having not pitched for nearly three weeks. A leading candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, Gil was merely adequate in September, with a 4.00 ERA, but he did last at least five innings in all five outings.
So it was startling — even to Yankees manager Aaron Boone himself, it seemed — to hear this after the game:
“What was big was Luis getting us four innings,” Boone said, adding that he knew it sounded light. “Really I was keeping him at like, 75, 80 pitches. I think he ended up throwing 80 (actually, 79), probably even more than we really like.”
It’s all an educated guess, but it underscores every pitching move a manager makes from March to November: how long will each pitcher be effective, given how much he has rested? Now add the complications of the postseason, where the competition is better and the stakes are more intense, and this is what you get.
The starters aren’t trained to pitch deep in games, anyway, and now they’re at the end of a long season. And the relievers are not only taxed, but they’re more familiar to the hitters due to repeat appearances.
“Guys have been throwing a lot of innings and guys can be tired,” said Kahnle, who acknowledged he should probably throw a fastball or two next time. “But I would say adrenaline does kick in big-time in these games, so you don’t really notice until you come out.”
Making this third appearance of the ALCS, Tommy Kahnle threw 18 changeups to earn the save in Game 4. (Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
You notice it, though, in the lack of command. A tired pitcher can often still throw as hard as usual. But the ability to repeat mechanics suffers, and that’s what leads to mistakes in the strike zone.
“It’s the middle, end of October,” said Austin Hedges, the Guardians’ veteran catcher. “Everyone’s been training since the offseason to prepare for a six-month season. As much as your goal is to win the World Series, there’s only a handful of teams that play this long and it’s exhausting.
“You can see it in the past. There’s plenty of pitchers that have pitched a lot in the playoffs and then they come back the next year and they’re just not the same, just because of that whole extra month, and also the pressure of each moment is tough. So that’s very real.
“But also it’s something that they have to be able to respond to. I feel like their team’s experiencing the same thing. They’ve got a good bullpen, but they’re not necessarily pitching the way that I’m sure that they would like to, as well.”
The Guardians’ bullpen had a 2.57 ERA in the regular season, the best by any team since the 2013 Kansas City Royals. In the postseason, though, Cleveland’s relievers have been far more ordinary, with a 3.83 ERA. The Yankees’ weary (but less so) group has been better, at 2.97.
Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase, who gave up just five earned runs in the regular season, has now allowed eight in October. After blowing the save in Game 3 and losing Game 4, his ERA is 10.29. Manager Stephen Vogt said Clase’s problems were pitch location and a Yankees team that led the majors in walks and waits for mistakes.
“That is what the Yankees do really well,” Vogt said. “They take a really good approach against your pitchers, and then they get pitches over the middle. They don’t miss them, and they really capitalized.”
Whether through loud home runs or soft contact, the Yankees have made short work of Emmanuel Clase. (Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
He’s right about that: the Yankees have taken extraordinary at-bats this postseason, with Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton as dangerous as Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. While Judge and Stanton homered off Clase in Game 3, it was Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Volpe, Alex Verdugo and Torres who nicked him with singles and soft contact on Friday.
Cleveland has gotten 15 outs from a starter just once this postseason, when Matthew Boyd held the Yankees to one run over five innings in Game 3. Tanner Bibee, the nominal ace, lasted only 39 pitches on Tuesday, such a brief appearance that he’ll start on short rest in Game 5 on Saturday.
“The strength of our team has been our bullpen all year, so we’re gonna lean on that,” said Shane Bieber, the former Cy Young Award winner who needed Tommy John surgery after two starts this season. “I think you see most of these teams doing that as well, because it happens quick and runs are at a premium. Starters are definitely able to go deeper in games, but when it’s such high stakes, man, the leash is a little bit shorter.”
It’s a credit to the Guardians that they’ve made it this far without their best starter. Boyd was a shrewd signing — a veteran with a fresh arm after his own Tommy John rehab — but they simply do not trust any of their starters to pitch very long.
It’s a formula that worked in the regular season and got Cleveland past an even more bullpen-heavy team, the Detroit Tigers, in the division series. But now, with the top of the mountain in sight, the little engine is sputtering.
“I mean, everybody is tired,” Vogt said. “I think we’ve used them a lot. We’ve had to. It’s who we are.”
The Guardians have one more chance to win with this identity. It’s a tough way to live, and they’re not alone.
(Photo of starter Gavin Williams exiting the game: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
Sports
Indiana crushes Oregon to advance to first championship game in program history, stunning sports world
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The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers became the fifth team in modern college football history to go 15-0. Now they can become the first team of the modern era to ever go 16-0, and only the second of all-time, joining an 1894 Yale team that played with leather helmets.
With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has left the college football world breathless with a dramatic turnaround of the Hoosiers program, going from one of the losingest teams in the Big 10 to potentially the most dominant single-season of all time.
Elijah Sarratt #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Ify Obidegwu #7 of the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana’s unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also chimed in.
Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, improving his case to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.
INDIANA WINS FIRST OUTRIGHT BIG 10 FOOTBALL TITLE SINCE 1945 AFTER OHIO STATE FLUBS SHORT FIELD GOAL TRY
Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Aaron Flowers #21 of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of their top running backs.
Indiana’s defense didn’t wait long to make an impact. On Oregon’s first snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore’s pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense already had made a statement this would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.
Moore’s 19-yard scoring pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The remainder of the half belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.
After Mendoza’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers the lead for good at 14-7, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black’s scoring run.
Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first scoring pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers’ the 35-7 lead.
Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza’s 13-yard scoring pass to E.J. Williams Jr.
Oregon finally answered. A 70-yard run by Hill set up a 2-yard scoring run by Harris.
The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already was listed as out with a collarbone injury.
Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
Following their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, the Hoosiers will prepare to face Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beat Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night.
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Roman Hemby #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs out of bounds before the endzone against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the last two seasons. Few teams from any conference can compare with the Hoosiers’ season-long demonstration of balanced strong play.
The country will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can finish the job and really punch their ticket into the history books.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Before Friday’s Trinity League game at Santa Margarita, Christian Collins of St. John Bosco was dancing to music and looking so comfortable and loose that it was easy to predict he might do something special.
The 6-foot-9 All-American delivered the tying basket at the buzzer to send the game into overtime and scored the clinching basket with six seconds left in the second overtime to lift St. John Bosco to a 74-73 victory in a game that lived up to the hype while producing terrific performances from both teams.
“That really was a high-level game,” St. John Bosco coach Matt Dunn said. “They put us in positions that were really challenging and we did the same. I had so many kids play great.”
The Braves (12-4) had four players score in double figures and battled back from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter. Collins finished with 20 points. Howie Wu, St. John Bosco’s 7-foot center, scored 15 points. Point guard Gavin Dean-Moss had 15 points and Tariq Iscandari added 13 points.
Santa Margarita (19-3) received 29 points from Kaiden Bailey and 20 points from Drew Anderson.
Collins saved St. John Bosco just before the buzzer at the end of regulation, getting an offensive rebound basket to tie the score. Then, with six seconds left in the second overtime and St. John Bosco up by two points, he scored to clinch the victory. A three-pointer at the buzzer by Brayden Kyman meant nothing with a four-point deficit.
“It was really hard to get stops,” Dunn said. “We finally got some.”
After the score was tied at 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19, Santa Margarita was able to take a 36-30 lead at halftime. Anderson had 14 points by then. The Eagles started connecting from three-point range, with four threes in the second quarter. St. John Bosco continued to rely on Collins, who had 10 points but missed six shots.
Drew Anderson of Santa Margarita battles for the loose ball against St. John Bosco.
(Nick Koza)
In the third quarter, Bailey made two threes and Rodney Westmoreland made another for an eight-point Santa Margarita lead. But the Eagles’ success with threes might have been their downfall. They started to rely too much on trying to score from deep, and St. John Bosco kept fighting back.
“I was really proud of our guys,” Dunn said.
Santa Margarita, with four returning starters, was considered the Trinity League favorite. But the play of Wu and Dean-Moss helped take offensive pressure off Collins, who was effective as a passer.
“Howie was great,” Dunn said.
This season the Trinity League will be playing only one round of games and will hold a postseason tournament at Concordia University and Hope University.
After Friday night, the Braves are the team to beat.
Harvard-Westlake 80, Crespi 53: The Wolverines received 26 points from Joe Sterling and 19 points from Pierce Thompson in the Mission League win.
St. Francis 58, Bishop Alemany 45: Cherif Millogo had 30 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks for the Golden Knights.
Chaminade 55, Loyola 48: Temi Olafisoye contributed 22 points and 20 rebounds to help the Eagles (19-2, 1-1) pick up an important road victory.
La Habra 66, Crean Lutheran 56: The Highlanders (16-5) upset Crean Lutheran in a Crestview League game.
Los Alamitos 80, Marina 60: Tyler Lopez had 21 points and Isaiah Williamson scored 16 in the victory.
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An Olympic medalist and 13-time X Games winner suffered serious head injuries after a stunt went wrong.
Nyjah Huston, who won bronze in Paris in 2024, said he suffered a fractured skull and eye socket.
“A harsh reminder how death-defying skating massive rails can be…” Huston wrote in an Instagram post which included a photo of himself in a hospital bed. “Taking it one day at a time. I hope yall had a better new years then me. We live to fight another day.”
Nyjah Huston of the United States competes in the men’s street prelims during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at La Concorde 3. (Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports)
The post also featured Huston being treated by first responders and friends, along with another photo showing a large black-and-blue mark on Huston’s eye.
Numerous skating legends showed their support for Huston, who is considered one of the best skateboarders in the United States today.
Nyjah Huston of Team USA reacts at the Skateboarding Men’s Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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“Been watching @nyjah grow up into one of the best skaters to ever do it and it amazes me the amount of grit this kid has,” Shaun White shared on his Instagram story, via Pro Football Network. “You got this brother. Heal quick!”
Even Tony Hawk shared well-wishes on Huston’s Instagram post.
“Heavy. Stay strong; we know you’ll be back,” the skateboarding legend wrote.
“Man.. prayers for healing brother!” added Ryan Sheckler.
It is unknown whether Huston was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
Nyjah Huston, of the United States, celebrates during the men’s skateboard street final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Huston has seven gold medals and five silvers in world championships. He has not competed since the 2024 Olympics, but the California native has his eyes set on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
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