The Yankees defeated the Royals in the 1978 American League Championship Series for the third year in a row to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series a second year in a row. Tidrow returned to the bullpen for the postseason. As was the case a year ago in game one of the ALCS, Tidrow was used as an "Innings eater" in game two of the ALCS when the starter got knocked out early. Light-hitting Royals shortstop Freddie Patek, who had two home runs during the regular season, homered off Tidrow. In the 1978 World Series, Tidrow made two relief appearances. One of his best postseason performances came in game four. Entering the game in the sixth inning with the Yankees trailing 3–0, Tidrow struck out four in pitching three innings of scoreless ball. The Yankees, meanwhile, scored two in the sixth and another in the eighth to tie the game, and eventually won it in extra innings.