Historically, Boyd has had issues when facing the Yankees in the regular season. Dating back to 2016, Boyd is 1-3 with a 5.17 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings over six starts vs. New York. He allowed seven home runs and walked 16 while posting a 1.436 WHIP against the Bronx Bombers.

This season, he made one start against New York and allowed three runs on four hits, including a pair of first-inning home runs to Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the Guardians’ loss on August 21 at Yankee Stadium.

But Judge and Soto are the only players currently on New York’s roster who have homered off Boyd, and despite some small sample sizes, Boyd has found success against a few players in manager Aaron Boone’s lineup.

Gleyber Torres, who has reached base safely in each of his last nine postseason games, is 1 for 9 lifetime against Boyd with three strikeouts.

Giancarlo Stanton, who is hitting .652 in six playoff games this year, is hitless in three career at-bats when facing Boyd. Alex Verdugo has one hit in six at bats.

Besides Judge and Soto, no Yankees hitter has reached base safely more than once against Boyd.

But that doesn’t provide much relief for Cleveland’s Game 3 starter.

“They’re the best team in the AL all year long, you want that challenge,” Boyd said. “We want to compete against the best, and as a pitcher you applaud that.”

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Boyd has thrown the ball well every time the Guardians have given him this year.

“He has worked extremely hard to get healthy again,” Vogt said. “We talked about it and Matt has been great for us. I’m excited to get him the ball and see what he can do.”

Boyd used his slider effectively as a save 25.5% of the time. Judge homered on a 3-1 sinker to the inside of the plate in August, so Boyd will have to put himself in position to go after the Yankees captain with his best pitch.

“You go out and attack. They are very good hitters. You respect their ability, their reputation. What they have done this year is really impressive. You just go out there and you just compete. It’s a welcome challenge. The most important thing is that you just go out there and compete against them.

Boyd said the added pressure of the Guardians facing a must-win situation hasn’t affected him yet.

“I don’t know what it’s going to feel like, but I know what I’m going to do,” Boyd said. “My game is my game. It’s a slippery slope to saying how you feel will determine what you do. I just go out there and do what I know I’m going to do when the ball is in my hand.

Boyd said the Guardians know their identity as a team. This is not the time to make drastic changes in response to how games 1 and 2 went. If anything, this is where Cleveland doubles down.

“We know what we’re talking about,” Boyd said. “Our record speaks for itself. We did that in the regular competition. We know what we are made of. We’re just going to play our game.”