Yankees announce Game 1 starter for ALDS against Rays

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Yankees announce Game 1 starter for ALDS against Rays

By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Oct 2, 2026 9:18 AM ET

The New York Yankees are facing the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday evening at Tropicana Field.

The Yankees had no issues in the wild-card round against the Boston Red Sox, outscoring their American League East foe 18-2 in the two-game series.

The Yankees started Cam Schlittler and Max Fried in the first two games.

Yankees announce SP for Game 1

With Schlittler and Fried going against the Red Sox, it's no surprise that the Yankees are rolling with Gerrit Cole for Game 1 against the Rays.

The Cole Train comes to Tampa for ALDS Game 1 #RepBX pic.twitter.com/uTSBdY0ba3
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 2, 2026

There wasn't much of a choice for manager Aaron Boone. Cole went 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in the regular season.

He even pitched against the Rays on Sept. 23, going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on three hits in the victory.

However, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic pointed out that the Rays hit right-handed pitchers well, which could benefit Kevin Cash's team.

The Yankees routinely get criticized for being too analytical. But this is a decision that plainly goes against the numbers.

Rays this season vs. RHP: 4th best OPS
Rays this season vs. LHP: 25th best OPS

Of course, the Yankees will trust Cole no matter what. https://t.co/crB7mgRjxT
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 2, 2026

The other option for New York was Carlos Rodon, and Schlittler is expected to start Game 2 on Sunday.

What New York does after that remains to be seen. Rodon went 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 116 appearances, and he dazzled with eight shutout innings against the Rays on Sept. 22, giving up just three hits and no walks.

So, that start alone should convince Boone to at least give Rodon a chance against Tampa Bay.

Matt Wadleigh

Matt Wadleigh is based in California and born and raised in the San Diego area. He studied print journalism at Fresno State for college and got to watch Paul George, Derek Carr and Davante Adams play in a Bulldogs uniform. His work has been featured at ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Sporting News, and various USA Today sites, including UCLA Wire, where he was the first managing editor

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