Yankees' starting rotation lines up nicely for Wild Card Series
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole greets teammates prior to Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
Only one American League team had the benefit of using the presumptive Cy Young winner for their playoff opener, which is why it was good the Yankees finally came to their senses in finally naming Cam Schlittler as Tuesday’s Game 1 starter.
Then again, few clubs also counted someone of Max Fried’s caliber at the front of their rotation, or would even think of pushing Gerrit Cole, a future Hall of Famer, as far back as Game 3, a contingency the Yankees hope isn’t necessary to bounce the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series.
Rarely does a plan come together so perfectly for October, especially with such a fragile commodity as starting pitching, over the course of a six-month, 162-game season. But in the Yankees’ case, they couldn’t have teed it up any better, and that’s with a rejuvenated Carlos Rodon waiting in reserve for the ALDS (or maybe a high-leverage bullpen spot before then).
For more on Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series, check out David Lennon's full column.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
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