The New York Yankees are in the process of finalizing their roster for the American League Division Series, where they will face the winner of the Kansas City Royals vs.Baltimore Orioles matchup.
The team aims to be fully prepared with their strongest lineup.
They have confirmed that Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 this weekend, while Carlos Rodon will pitch in Game 2. Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt, depending on who isn’t used in relief in the first two games, will take the mound for Game 3.
If the series extends to four or five games, Cole and Rodon will pitch again. However, with Nestor Cortes injured, there is a significant absence in their starting rotation: Marcus Stroman. Insider Bryan Hoch has noted that the Yankees’ $37 million pitcher might not even make the ALDS roster.
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Stroman’s performance this season has been inconsistent, particularly since June, finishing with a 4.31 ERA over 154.2 innings, which falls short of expectations.
Yet, his potential exclusion from the ALDS roster is more about the Yankees’ pitching depth than his individual performance. He could still serve as a valuable backend starter with playoff experience if the Yankees advance to the AL Championship Series.
Additionally, Schmidt and Gil may be more suitable for relief roles, which could lead the Yankees to proceed in the Division Series without Stroman.
Currently, with the intention of including Tim Mayza as a second left-handed reliever, Stroman’s spot on the roster for the first series is uncertain.
