NEW YORK — Cam Schlittler will start the Yankees’ American League Wild Card Series opener against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, with Max Fried following in Game 2 and Gerrit Cole lined up for Game 3 if necessary.
The Yankees announced the order Sunday, settling their rotation on the final day of the regular season. The best-of-three series will be played at Yankee Stadium, beginning Tuesday at approximately 8 p.m. Eastern.
Schlittler, 25, finished his first full major-league season with a 14–6 record, a 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts. His four regular-season starts against Boston produced a 2–1 record and a 0.74 ERA, with 27 strikeouts across 24⅓ innings.
He also brings direct experience of the same postseason matchup. In last year’s deciding Wild Card game, Schlittler pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 as New York eliminated Boston with a 4–0 victory. He allowed five singles and did not walk a batter.
The assignment follows a carefully managed end to his regular season. MLB reported that the Yankees limited him to 70 pitches over three innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday, putting him on regular rest for Tuesday’s opener. Fried last pitched the previous Tuesday.
Both pitchers completed side sessions Sunday before manager Aaron Boone confirmed the rotation. Schlittler’s season workload reached 193⅔ innings over 33 starts, making his readiness part of the club’s deliberations before handing him the opening assignment.
All three potential games in the Yankees–Red Sox series have prime-time starts, MLB announced Sunday. NBC will televise the series in the United States, with streaming available on Peacock.
The format makes the opening game consequential without guaranteeing a third start in the rotation. A team that wins the first two games advances immediately; Cole would take the mound only if Boston and New York split those contests.
For the Yankees, the announcement removes one major question before the postseason begins. Schlittler gets the first opportunity to carry his regular-season success into the postseason, against the opponent he helped send home a year ago.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with Associated Press — rotation announcement.
Read at Associated Press — rotation announcement
