Yankees' rotation set for AL wild-card series vs. Red Sox

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees’ rotation is set for the American League wild-card series starting Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

Right-hander Cam Schlittler will start Game 1 for New York, while left-hander Max Fried will get the nod for Game 2. If Game 3 is necessary, right-hander Gerrit Cole will throw the must-win game. Where does that leave left-hander Carlos Rodon? He will work out of the bullpen.  

Yankees' Cam Schlittler will be "ready to go" for Game 1 start in AL wild-card series

In his first full season in the big leagues, Schlittler is having a season to remember, leading American League pitchers in WAR per Baseball Reference (7.1), ERA (1.95) and adjusted ERA+ (215).

Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave Schlittler the news when the latter was half asleep on the trainer’s table Sunday afternoon. 

“He’ll be ready to go,” Boone told reporters about Schlittler. “He’s excited. He wants the ball. We have four great starters — five if you want to include Will (Warren), who had another outstanding year. All four guys are throwing the ball incredibly well. I have a ton of confidence in them. 

“Obviously, Cam is going to win the Cy Young award. He has been the best pitcher in the league. He deserves to have that (start).  We were (considering) do we want him in a Game 2 scenario with a chance to move on and slam the door or your back is against the wall. We were flushing that out a little bit — just all things I was considering. A lot of it has to do with just simply where all four of those guys are and the confidence we have giving them the ball.”

Fried, Cole and Rodon had arm problems during the season, but ended 2027 healthy. Fried, who twice dealt with a bone bruise in his left elbow, appeared in 20 games and had a 2.80 ERA. He last pitched Tuesday and allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Rays. 

Cole’s season didn’t start until May 22 because he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He had a respectable 3.61 ERA, but allowed nine home runs in five starts during the month of September. 

Outside of Schlittler, Rodon may have been New York’s most consistent pitcher. During the month of September, Rodon allowed four earned runs in 25 ⅓ innings (1.42 ERA) and struck out 28 batters. In his last game against the Rays, Rodon pitched eight shutout innings in a 2-0 victory.  

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.