The format of the 2020 playoffs and its lack of off-days changes how teams approach their five-game series. It is almost certain that the Yankees, and perhaps every other team, will turn back to their Game One starter if faced with a winner-take-all game. This frees up the team’s fifth starter for work out of the bullpen, and each team will have to make a decision on how best to employ that player. In the case of the Yankees, that player is Jordan Montgomery, and he is a strong fit as a situational lefty.
With the announcement that Deivi García will be pitching Game Two of the American League Division Series, there is now little debate over who the Yankees’ four starters will be as they play five days straight in the 2020 playoff format.