CC Sabathia throws out ceremonial first pitch on his day at Yankee Stadium
CC Sabathia throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium to his son, Carsten III, after his number retirement ceremony on Sept. 25, 2026.
NEW YORK – When informed Sunday of his Game 1 Wild Card starting assignment, Cam Schlittler was “half asleep on the training table,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
Even in that typical, somnambulant clubhouse state, Schlittler was “excited’’ to kick off a best-of-three against the rival Boston Red Sox in the Bronx.
“He wants the ball, he’s ready to go,’’ Boone said. “He’s been the best pitcher in the league and he’s earned the right to have that’’ opening start.
It’ll be lefty Max Fried in Game 2, followed by Gerrit Cole in Game 3 – if necessary – at the Stadium.
The rotation order was revealed during a three-hour rain delay of the Yankees’ regular season finale, against the Orioles, which was ultimately canceled Sunday due to a sustained rainy forecast.
Of his rotation, which includes Carlos Rodon and Will Warren – now bullpen options in this first round series – Boone felt there were several ways they could’ve arranged things.
“Really, all four of those guys are throwing the ball incredibly well and I’ve got a ton of confidence in them.”
Yankees’ ultimate decision on Wild Card rotation order
Schlittler hasn’t just been the Yankees’ best starter, but he’s the likely AL Cy Young Award winner.
Boone said the Yankees’ field staff and front office debated the merits of starting Schlittler in Game 2, with Fried in Game 1.
“Do we want (Schlittler) in a Game 2 scenario with a chance to move on and slam the door, or if your back’s against the wall (after a Game 1 loss) – just all things I was considering,” said Boone.
“I think there was a compelling case to go both ways,” said Boone. “Ultimately decided this is the way I want to go.”
Schlittler (14-6, 1.95 ERA) would be going on normal rest, having thrown 70 pitches Thursday, his final regular-season tune-up, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Cam, I might leave out there a long time,” said Boone. “And he’s coming off a tune-up start on a fifth day, and conceivably in a (Game 1 Wild Card) scenario where you’re going heavy,” Schlittler would have an extra day of rest entering a Game 2 Division Series start.
Should the Yankees advance, they would face the AL East champion Rays in a best-of-five AL Division Series, where Schlittler would be in line to start Games 2 and 5 (if necessary) at Tropicana Field.
Schlittler owns a stunning 1.16 ERA in 17 road starts this year (he has a 2.98 ERA in 16 home starts).
Cam Schlittler vs Red Sox in Game 1
As a rookie last year, Schlittler tossed eight scoreless innings in eliminating the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series.
The Walpole, Massachusetts, native later described being the subject of online abuse, with threats directed at his family from a subset of New England fans.
In four starts against Boston this year, Schlittler is 2-1 with a 0.74 ERA.
Max Fried vs Red Sox in Game 2
Fried has faced the Red Sox twice this year, yielding just one earned run in 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA). He’s posted a 2.73 ERA in five starts since coming off the injured list with a second (less severe) elbow bone bruise.
Gerrit Cole vs Red Sox in Game 3 if necessary
Cole faced the Red Sox once this year, yielding four runs in 5.1 innings in a June 27 loss at Fenway Park.
For his career, Cole has posted a 5.30 ERA against Boston in 20 starts. Cole owns a 3.33 career ERA in 23 starts against the Rays, and he’d be line to start Game 1 of a Division Series if the Yanks sweep Boston.
If the Wild Card Series goes the distance and the Yanks advance, Rodon would be line to start the Division Series opener at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Earlier Sunday, manager Aaron Boone said he’d informed Fried and Schlittler of their assignments but had yet to speak with all the principles involved before making an official announcement.
Boone added that he made the final call on the rotation order, after input from his coaching staff and club executives.
Both Schlittler and Fried threw side sessions earlier Sunday.
