Gerrit Cole Set to Start Game 1 of ALDS for Yankees

The New York Yankees have announced that Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. The decision gives the start to the veteran right-hander over left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón, who had been pitching effectively in the latter part of the regular season.

The Yankees had the flexibility to choose between Cole and Rodón after sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the AL wild-card series, with Cam Schlittler and Max Fried pitching in those games. Cole had been slated to start Game 3 of the wild-card series, but with the series ending quickly, the team is opting to keep him on track for the ALDS opener.

This choice could potentially place Rodón in a bullpen role for the ALDS, despite his strong performance against the Rays in his final starts of the season, including eight shutout innings. The projected pitching rotation for the Yankees includes Schlittler for Game 2 (and Game 5 if necessary), Fried on extended rest for Game 3, and Cole on regular rest for Game 4.

In his first season since Tommy John surgery, Cole, 36, posted a 3.61 ERA over 22 starts. While he largely resembled his Cy Young Award-winning form, he experienced a difficult two-start stretch in early September where he allowed a combined seven home runs. His swing-and-miss rate has also decreased to 21.3 percent, though the Rays themselves had one of the lowest whiff rates in the league at 20.7 percent.

The Yankees are also leaning on Cole's significant playoff experience, which includes a career 2.77 ERA in postseason games. However, Rodón made a compelling case with a 1.42 ERA in his last four starts in September. Additionally, starting a lefty like Rodón could have been advantageous against the Rays, who struggled against left-handed pitching, ranking 25th in OPS against them, compared to fifth against right-handed pitchers.