At least for one more day, the Yankees were keeping their ALCS Game 1 starter close to the vest.
It will almost certainly be either Carlos Rodon or Clarke Schmidt on Monday against the Guardians, but manager Aaron Boone claimed the Yankees had not decided as of Saturday afternoon.
“We’re going to let today unfold and then talk about it,” Boone said before the Guardians beat the Tigers in Game 5 of their ALDS series. “Probably make a decision tonight or [Sunday] morning.”
Rodon, who started Game 2 of the ALDS, would be on turn for Game 1, but Schmidt, who started Game 3 against the Royals, would also be on regular rest to pitch Monday.
Whatever the Yankees decide, Gerrit Cole is expected to start Game 2.
Boone said the opponent “could factor in a little bit.”
The lefty Rodon did not face the Guardians during the regular season this year while Schmidt gave up two runs (one earned) in five innings against them in April.
The Guardians — and their best hitter, Jose Ramirez — hit left-handers better, batting .251 with a .751 OPS compared to .233 with a .685 OPS against righties.
The Yankees could also be weighing having Rodon pitch at Yankee Stadium or on the road.
He pitched better at home during the regular season — a 3.11 ERA in The Bronx and a 4.69 ERA away from it — but his emotional style backfired on him in the ALDS.
He came out firing, striking out the side in the first inning against the Royals while leaning into the raucous crowd, but ran out of gas by a four-run fourth inning.
“Hopefully you benefit from all these experiences you have,” Boone said. “Carlos, for as experienced as he is, hasn’t had a ton in the postseason. I was really, really encouraged by how he came out throwing the ball, attacking the strike zone. But I’m sure there’s a lot of takeaways for him and hopefully things he can apply moving forward.”
Luis Gil, not used in the ALDS, is expected to reenter the rotation for the ALCS, but he won’t be an option for Game 1.
The right-hander is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Sunday, setting him up to potentially start Game 4 on Friday.
The Yankees will add at least one pitcher, if not two, to their roster for the ALCS, which means subtracting a position player or two from the roster they used for the ALDS.
Able to get away with 11 pitchers in the ALDS because of built-in off days, the Yankees are deciding between carrying 12 or 13 pitchers for the ALCS — with Mark Leiter Jr., Marcus Stroman and Clayton Beeter all potential options (Nestor Cortes still needs more time as he recovers from a left elbow flexor strain).
Alex Verdugo will “likely” continue to start in left field, Boone said, after being there for all four games of the ALDS.
There had been some debate entering the postseason whether Verdugo or Jasson Dominguez would be the Yankees left fielder, but it is clear the team prefers Verdugo’s experience and defense — plus he delivered two big hits in the Game 1 win over the Royals.
DJ LeMahieu (hip impingement) continues to make progress in his rehab, but still seems unlikely to be on the ALCS roster.
“Feel like he’s moving around well,” Boone said. “He’s been hitting now for a good bit and feeling good there. So we’ll see.”