It’s Yankees vs. Indians, and Chapman vs. His Memories

With a Yankee bullpen that now seems taxed — David Robertson and Chad Green have not looked the same since their long stints in the wild-card playoff game last week and Dellin Betances has been erratic — Manager Joe Girardi said he was ready to count on Chapman for two innings on Wednesday night, something he did just once during the regular season.

Chapman will not be the only one forced to confront his past when Game 5 begins. The Indians, too, are dealing with the fact that they are back to a similar point they were a year ago.

In the 2016 World Series, the Indians had a three-games-to-one lead over the Cubs and three chances to finish them off, including a deciding game in their home park. They couldn’t do it.

Against the Yankees, the Indians had a 2-0 lead in this series and failed in their first two chances to close out the series. Their third, and final, chance will come at home.

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