CC Sabathia says the Yankees’ rotation gives them a better chance in short playoff series. It features Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon as New York opens a best-of-three Wild Card series against Boston Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Sabathia made the comments on YES Network after the Yankees retired his No. 52 on Friday. He said a shorter series could suit New York with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge not in the lineup, and because the team can arrange its pitchers in different ways.
Michael Kay said Friday that he believes the Yankees are leaning toward Fried for Game 1 and Schlittler for Game 2, with Cole in line for a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday. Schlittler has a 1.16 road ERA this season and, if New York advances to face the Rays in the ALDS, would be positioned to pitch Games 2 and 5 on the road.
