New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cam Schlittler is not guaranteed to start Game 1 of next week’s American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox.
Schlittler leads the American League with a 1.94 ERA and has struck out 234 batters in 190 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander is the clear favorite for the AL Cy Young Award after his first full major league season.
Boone was asked whether Schlittler would open the best-of-three series Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. He declined to commit.
“We’ll see. Not necessarily. Whoever goes 1 or 2 doesn’t affect the next series. So, whoever goes 1 or 2 can pitch 2 and 5 in the next series, for example. So, we’ll decide what kind of makes the most sense, just matching up how we want to go with it. But Cam would certainly be one of those first two games,” Boone said.
The Yankees are the No. 4 seed and will host the No. 5 Red Sox beginning Sept. 29. The winner of that series will travel to Tampa Bay to face the Rays in the AL Division Series. The Rays locked up the league’s best record this week.
Schlittler is lined up to pitch Thursday against Tampa Bay, which would put him on regular rest for Game 1. Gerrit Cole started Wednesday and would have an extra day if Boone chose him for Tuesday.
Max Fried is expected to start one of the first two games. The left-hander is 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA, 104 strikeouts and a 0.99 WHIP in 20 starts and 112 2/3 innings this season. Fried has worked through elbow issues that limited his pitch counts for much of the year. He threw 97 pitches over 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s loss to the Rays.
Carlos Rodon has been the Yankees’ hottest starter since returning from the injured list. He posted a 1.89 ERA over his last seven starts, covering 38 innings. Rodon finished the regular season 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 16 starts and 84 1/3 innings.
Rodon threw eight scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Tuesday and will not start Sunday’s regular season finale against Baltimore. That keeps him fresh for October.
If the Wild Card Series reaches a deciding Game 3, Boone would choose between Cole and Rodon. Cole, a former Cy Young winner, has been inconsistent at times after Tommy John surgery. Rodon’s recent form makes him a strong option as well.
The Yankees could be without Aaron Judge for the Wild Card round. Judge suffered a moderate right calf strain last week and is not expected to play. He already missed 75 games earlier this season with a rib injury.
Boston remains a tough first-round opponent. The Red Sox rotation includes Payton Tolle and Sonny Gray, and the clubs know each other well from years of rivalry games.
Boone has framed the Game 1 and Game 2 decision around how those pitchers would line up for a possible ALDS against Tampa Bay. The Game 1 or Game 2 starter could return for Games 2 and 5 of that series.
Schlittler has been especially strong away from Yankee Stadium, posting a 1.14 ERA in 103 road innings. He also pitched well against Boston during the regular season.
New York enters the postseason with four established starters in Schlittler, Fried, Cole and Rodon. That depth gives Boone flexibility even as he weighs rest, matchups and the next round.
The Yankees closed the regular season near 90-67 after clinching a playoff berth. Their immediate task is beating a familiar rival in a short series before they can think about Tampa Bay.
