Overview
- Gerrit Cole is slated to start Game 1 for the Yankees on Saturday at Tropicana Field and the Rays have announced Drew Rasmussen as their Game 1 starter.
- Cam Schlittler, after a 6 1/3 scoreless, 10-strikeout Wild Card outing, is expected to take the mound for New York in Game 2 and would likely draw a Game 5 assignment if the series goes the distance.
- Aaron Judge took batting practice on Friday and the Yankees will make a final roster decision before Game 1 that could change the team’s defensive alignment and the mix of position players versus pitchers.
- In the National League Division Series the Padres named Robbie Ray for Game 1 against Milwaukee’s ace Jacob Misiorowski, and the Brewers enter the series as the majors’ 103-win club with a rotation advantage.
- With Division Series schedules compressed, teams must prioritize frontline starters and roster construction so the Yankees will need at least one road win at the Trop to let their depth and home pitching tilt the series in New York’s favor.