Yankees Facing Troubling Development Before MLB Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Sep 14, 2025 8:50 PM ET

The New York Yankees have positioned themselves nicely for a spot in the MLB Playoffs. Entering Sunday's contest against the Boston Red Sox, New York had a 3.0 game lead in the American League Wild Card race. The AL East is also not out of reach, as the Yankees are just 3.5 games back of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays.

While they control their own destiny for postseason spot, the Yankees are also a flawed team with some major question marks — one being the back-end of their starting rotation. This was on full display Sunday night when right-handed starting pitcher Will Warren gave up six runs in the first inning to put New York in an early deficit at Fenway Park.

This start was Warren's team-leading 31st on the season. While he would be behind both Max Fried and Carlos Rodon in a postseason rotation, he is an arm the Yankees have been hopeful could help the team in October. But a troubling development is playing out just weeks before the postseason begins.

Will Warren's Struggles Against Playoff Teams

As pointed out by Jomboy on X, Warren has been especially ineffective against playoff teams this season. With an ERA north of 7.00 against teams currently owning postseason spots, Warren is not currently pitching like someone Aaron Boone can rely on in big games.

Will Warren's numbers vs playoff teams are not a fun thing to look at. 11 starts now. After the second inning tonight, it's 49.1 IP with a 7.30 ERA.

Even worse. This is the third time the runs have come his first time through the order.

vs Dodgers - 4 ER in 1st, 6 ER in 2nd…
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) September 14, 2025

Hard-throwing right-hander Luis Gil would likely be New York's third starter in a postseason series, but there are a lot of questions about how the team would choose to handle a fourth starting pitcher. Cam Schlittler has been effective in 11 starts, posting a 3.05 ERA, but was just called up this season.

Given his struggles against playoff teams, Warren is leaving the Yankees with a tough dilemma. A move to the bullpen could be in his future, but he has just one relief appearance in 37 career games. With the Wild Card Series being just three games and the Division Series being just five games, New York could also opt to leave Warren off the postseason roster entirely if he doesn't project to be a top-three starting option.

Warren debuted for the Yankees last season and owns a career ERA of 5.20 in 174.2 innings pitched. While he made six appearances last season, he was not on New York's postseason roster when they won the AL pennant before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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