The New York Yankees could face the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series when the postseason starts.
The Yankees have a slim chance of winning the American League East, but they are likely destined for a series against their biggest rival to start the postseason. It's pretty clear that Cam Schlittler would start Game 1 for the Yankees in a best-of-three series. It's safe to assume that Max Fried would probably start Game 2.
However, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both have a case to start a potential Game 3. Well, it seems the Yankees have already decided which of those two they prefer. On Friday, Aaron Boone was asked if he would expect Cole to start if the Yankees play in the Wild Card Series.
"I would expect Gerrit Cole to start, yes," Boone told reporters on Friday.
Now, Boone did not say in which game Cole would start. A lot of that depends on where the Yankees are in the rotation, as the Wild Card Series would start two days after the Yankees play their last regular season game. The Yankees will have a chance to line up their preferred starters, however.
Cole has struggled in his last two starts, being bit by the long ball. He has a 3.67 ERA this season, but had a 3.29 ERA before his last two starts. Fried has a 2.63 ERA this year and should be the Game 2 starter. Would the Yankees start Cole over Fried? It would be a bad decision to save their second-best starter for Game 3, especially if they lose Game 1.