Yankees weigh Game 3 starter as playoff clock tightens

With a week to go in the regular season and a playoff berth within reach, the Yankees are sorting through a potential Game 3 starter for what could be a wild-card series. While Max Fried and Carlos Rodón are viewed as the likely Game 1 and Game 2 options, New York is weighing a trio of depth options — Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and, to a lesser extent, Will Warren — for the next-in-line role. The decision could shift depending on how far the team advances and who the first-round opponent might be.

Schlittler is lined up to make his final regular-season start next Saturday against the Orioles, which would then have him available to start on normal rest the following Thursday, the day of a potential Game 3 in the AL wild-card series. Gil is scheduled to pitch Tuesday and then would be in line to go again on Sunday, though the Yankees could hold him out to keep their options open for the wild-card series if nothing is at stake in Game 162. The decision may also hinge on who the Yankees would face in the first round, with Astros, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers and Guardians all viewed as possibilities depending on the finish.

“Performance matters, and where you think they are once we’re headed into that situation,” manager Aaron Boone said this week. “They’re each going to have a few more here, so hopefully they put us in a tough situation based on them performing well.” Boone stressed that matchups could influence how the rotation lines up once a series is on the line and that health and execution would guide decisions.

The Yankees have been explicit about keeping the door open for different configurations, depending on how the other teams around them perform and how their own pitchers handle stress and workload. Gil and Schlittler each bring different strengths to the table: Schlittler’s high-90s fastball has the velocity to play in a late-inning bullpen or as a starter, and Gil’s track record as a former Rookie of the Year candidate makes him a logical option for a postseason assignment.

The decision could come down to who gives the Yankees the best chance to win a one- or two-game set, given the opponent and the bullpen leverage required in a short series. The club also is mindful of the innings totals for its young arms as it navigates a compressed schedule and potential extra postseason starts. Schlittler has already pitched 137 1/3 innings this season, up from 120 2/3 innings a year ago, and he said he feels good physically entering the final stretch of the schedule.

Gil’s command has been a work in progress since he returned from a high-grade lat strain in August, with a tendency toward walks and elevated pitch counts at times. He appeared in relief for the ALDS last season when Gerrit Cole, Rodón and Clarke Schmidt were the Yankees’ three main starters, but he did not pitch in relief during that series. Gil did start Game 4 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the World Series, contributing to the team’s postseason plans but also underscoring the variability the rotation could face in October. Will Warren, another option in the mix, could also figure prominently if the Yankees need another experienced arm to bridge innings.

The key for Schlittler and Gil may come down to strike throwing. Schlittler was known for his control on the rise through the minors and earlier in the big leagues, but he walked five in his last appearance against the Twins, a reminder that maintaining precision will be critical in a high-stakes role. For his part, Schlittler said he’s mindful of his workload but feels good physically and believes he can handle the innings with proper preparation.

The Yankees have built a potential four-man playoff rotation if they advance, with Fried and Rodón slated to start the first two games and Schlittler, Gil or Warren in line for a Game 3 or subsequent start depending on the matchup and game plan. Boone has emphasized that the decision will be driven by performance, health, and the specific opponent the Yankees would face — a factor that remains up in the air as the season’s final days unfold. The current plan also allows flexibility in the event of a longer series, as the club would need a fourth starter if the wild-card round extends.

Schlittler’s continued development remains central to the Yankees’ postseason planning. The 24-year-old has limited relief appearances in his professional career, all in the minors, and he has prioritized maintaining his workload without compromising the quality of his stuff. The organization’s confidence in his ability to throw strikes at a high level has grown as he has progressed, and Boone has suggested Schlittler’s maturity and confidence could help him handle playoff pressure if given the chance.

As the Yankees approach the final stretch of the regular season, the team’s focus remains on securing a playoff berth, ensuring a top wild-card position to host the first-round series, and preserving health for a run into October. The next several days will determine which pitcher earns the critical third-start slot if New York earns a wild-card game, and how the rotation will be ordered for a potential postseason push.