Schlittler to start Yankees’ Wild Card Series opener vs. Red Sox, followed by Fried and Cole

NEW YORK (AP) —

Cam Schlittler will start Game 1 of the New York Yankees’ Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night and be followed in the rotation by Max Fried and Gerrit Cole in the best-of-three matchup.

New York made the announcement Sunday, the last day of the regular season.

Schlittler struck out 12 over eight innings in the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Red Sox in Game 3 of last year’s Wild Card Series. He allowed five hits, all singles, and walked none. Schlittler threw 11 pitches 100 mph or faster, including six in the first inning.

“He’s excited,” manager Aaron Boone said after the regular-season finale against Baltimore was canceled because of rain. “He wants the ball and he’s ready to go.”

Schlittler was 14-6 with an AL-best 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts this year, the first full season for the 25-year-old right-hander. Schlittler also allowed one earned run or fewer in his final nine starts, matching Whitey Ford in 1963 for the longest streak in Yankees history.

A native of Walpole Massachusetts, Schlittler went 2-1 with an 0.74 ERA in four starts against Boston this year. He struck out 27 in 24 1/3 innings and held hitters to a .174 average.

New York starters finished with a 3.30 ERA despite Fried being limited to 20 starts because of two injured list stints with a bruised left elbow. Cole returned from missing last season with elbow surgery and was 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts.

“There’s just working through the do we want him in a Game 2 scenario with a chance to move on and slam the door or if your back’s against the wall, kind of flushing that out a little bit,” Boone said. “Just all things I was considering.”

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Carlos Rodón will be in the bullpen for the Wild Card Series after going 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 16 starts. Rodón made his first start for the season on May 10 after recovering from left elbow surgery and was sidelined between June 28 and Aug. 18 by left elbow inflammation.

“It’s clearly our greatest strength this year and we haven’t had it all together at different times obviously, but I do feel like all four of those guys are throwing the ball incredibly well right now at the right time,” Boone said.

If the Yankees advance to a best-of-five AL Division Series against Tampa Bay, Schlittler would be lined up to start Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.

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