There are still several questions to be answered about who will star for the Yankees in the American League Division Series against the Rays.
Aaron Boone met with the media during Friday’s workout day and shared crumbs of information on questionable players, including Aaron Judge and Ryan Weathers. After taking some reps during batting practice and taking some swings in the cage, Judge is still being considered to make the roster according to the Yankees manager.
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The Pinstripe Alley Feed appeared divided on the subject, with some believing that he’ll make the roster and appear as a pinch-hitter. The majority, as of Friday, voted that the Yankees captain won’t make it this time.
As for the lefty who’s been on the IL since late August with a left forearm flexor strain, Boone mentioned that he “expects Weathers to be available,” but admittedly hasn’t made any official decisions as of yet.
Let’s begin with dissecting the prospective starting rotation. Boone confirmed that Gerrit Cole will get the start for Game 1, which was expected since the Yankees took care of business against Boston in a two-game sweep. He’ll be making his first postseason start for the Yankees since 2024, as he missed the majority of last season due to Tommy John surgery.
Cam Schlittler, who dominated the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, is reportedly expected to start in Game 2. The Yankees’ ace was his dominant self as he struck out 10 in 6.1 innings. Ultimately, if it comes down to the wire, it wouldn’t be surprising if he also got the start for Game 5.
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Then there’s Max Fried, who earned the win that secured the Yankees’ slot in the Division Series. He’ll likely be an option to start Game 3 in time for the Yankees’ return to the Bronx. Boone also mentioned that Carlos Rodón could get the start for either Game 3 or Game 4, if needed. We’ll almost definitely see him in a relief role if he doesn’t end up in a starting role.
The Yankees made Wild Card Series history, having just 10 pitchers and 16 position players make the roster, and it worked out well in the end. However, will history repeat itself in the ALDS? Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn, and Will Warren will certainly be on the staff, but it’d be interesting to see Weathers in the mix if he becomes available. Ryan Yarbrough also made the Wild Card Series roster but didn’t make an appearance against Boston. The question is: Can the Yankees pull off the same feat in the Division Series with just 10 pitchers?
Moving on to the position players, there are quite a few impressive younger guys who made an impact in the Wild Card Series. George Lombard Jr., who went a combined 4-for-8 in the series with three runs, shined in the demolition of Boston’s playoff hopes. Even before the Yankees clinched their 61st postseason berth, some went as far to say that his swing reminds them of Yankees legend Derek Jeter. He also proved himself reliable on defense, which is a promising sign for his future at the position.
After getting the start in both games of the Wild Card Series, it’s also clear that Spencer Jones has earned his spot in the lineup. He recorded two hits and three runs combined in his first career postseason appearances and was flexible defensively, as he played right field in Game 2 while Trent Grisham retook his spot in center.
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Grisham, on the other hand, made his return to the order on Wednesday after being sidelined for most of September with a hamstring injury. It would be surprising if he didn’t make the roster, given how compromised he looked in his brief time in the outfield, but that doesn’t seem likely since Boone seems to be relying on more position player options than not.
One of the larger unanswered questions is whether Giancarlo Stanton will be an option to face Tampa Bay. He’ll likely make it on as a pinch-hitter, especially since he made the roster for the Wild Card Series. With Ben Rice as DH and either Paul Goldschmidt or Luis García Jr. at first and Austin Wells behind the plate, there’s not much room for Stanton to squeeze into the starting lineup.
What else is there to say about Rice other than the fact that he’s the Yankees’ most productive hitter without Aaron Judge? There’s no doubt that if he keeps up his hot streak, he’ll have the Rays’ starting rotation quivering at the bump.
The Yankees will most likely have Jazz Chisholm Jr. play second and have the option to start either Anthony Volpe, Amed Rosario, or José Caballero at third. Volpe got the start at third in Game 1, and went 1-for-3 against Boston. In the locker room celebrations that followed the annihilation of the Red Sox on Wednesday night, Rice called Volpe a “menace” with a champagne bottle.
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Rosario didn’t produce offensively during his Game 1 start of the Wild Card Series, but he did draw a walk after a successful ABS challenge that put Lombard Jr. in scoring position in the fourth. It’s unclear whether he’s poised to make the postseason roster over options such as Volpe and Caballero, who the latter of whom remained on the bench against the Boston.
It’s difficult to imagine that Ali Sánchez will start over Austin Wells, who went 3-for-6 in the series with three runs. Sánchez will be included on the roster as a backup.
One thing’s for sure: Cody Bellinger will be easy to count on in the field and is poised to make an impact at the plate against the Rays. He proved himself after he instantly made the Red Sox regret walking Rice in the sixth inning on Wednesday night, crushing a 3-run homer that put the Yankees ahead 8-1.
The Yankees’ official ALDS roster is expected to be released on Saturday ahead of Game 1 of the series in Tampa. Until then, Yankees fans can only hope for the best and brace for Boone’s decisions to come.
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