In that third frame, Guardians star third baseman José Ramírez blasted a three-run home run with one man out. It came on a sweeper that Schmidt tugged down and in across the zone. It wasn’t a terrible spot, but Ramírez was all over it, sending the 0-1 pitch 390 feet to right. Schmidt said after the game that he got the pitch to where he wanted it.

In their first meeting since last season's ALCS, the Yankees fell to the Guardians, 6-4, on Monday night at Progressive Field.

“Really excited,” Aaron Boone said when asked about Schmidt before the game. “He’s a really good pitcher. We’ve seen him grow before our eyes over the last several years, and really over the last couple years establish himself as a really good starter. He’s important to our team and excited to get him back.”