The top two teams in the American League East will meet in the best-of-five American League Division Series, beginning with Game 1 on Saturday between the Yankees and Rays at 6:30 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. Let’s take a look at how the pitching rotations could line up: YankeesPitching has been one of the Yankees’ strengths all year, and that carried over into their American League Wild Card Series matchup against the Red Sox. As Cam Schlittler put it after the decisive game of Game 2: “If we keep pitching like we’re pitching, we can dominate the World Series.” They will look to continue that against a Rays team known for mounting persistent attacks, putting the ball in play and testing defenses. Game 1 TBA, possibly Gerrit Cole, RHPY Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cole is “prepared for” the start of Game 1, given that he would have started Thursday if the Red Sox had forced a Game 3. Cole was 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay this year, but struggled with home runs in September. Game 3 TBC, possibly Carlos Rodón, LHPThere is a strong case for moving Rodón and Cole in the rotation, given Rodón’s strongest finish to the season, including eight shutout innings against Tampa Bay on September 22. Rodón had been preparing for Game 1 if the American League Wild Card Series went all the way. Rays Despite having a first-round bye and plenty of time to get things in order, the Rays have yet to establish their rotation beyond Drew Rasmussen in Game 1. All five pitchers in Tampa Bay’s rotation finished the season strong, and all play a big role in this short series, even if only three are likely to start. Expect manager Kevin Cash to be creative in deploying the quintet of Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour, and that could mean using them aggressively if they have a chance to claim an early lead in the series. Game 1 Drew Rasmussen, RHP There’s a reason the Rays were quick to confirm Rasmussen’s starting assignment, even as they continue to deliberate the rest of their rotation. Rasmussen is not only one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the game; he is one of the best. The right-hander went out and proved it again this year, going 16-5 with the American League’s fourth-best ERA (2.67) and the league’s best WHIP (0.91) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.44). He’s also been excellent against the Yankees throughout his career, with a 5-2 record, 1.81 ERA, and 0.86 WHIP in 11 games (10 starts) to back it up. Game 2TBA, possibly RHP Griffin Jax or RHP Freddy Peralta. Again, the Rays haven’t set, or even hinted at, their full rotation yet. Could either of these two pitch out of the bullpen in Game 1? Could they start Game 2 at Tropicana Field? Could they pitch at Yankee Stadium? Could one of them be in reserve for a long game or an early injury? Everything is on the table right now. But both are logical choices for two reasons: They finished the year as strong as ever and have pitched well at home. Peralta was the American League Pitcher of the Month for September, went 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA in his last six starts overall and posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in four home starts for Tampa Bay. Jax, the converted reliever, allowed only one run, nine hits and three walks in 18 innings over his last four starts, and had much better strikeout numbers at home (77 in 60 innings) than on the road (39 in 52 1/3 innings). Game 3 to be confirmed, possibly Peralta or RHP Nick Martínez. This remains pure speculation for now, but there is an argument for both veterans to take the ball in the Rays’ first playoff game on the road. Peralta’s strong finish and ability to induce swings and misses work in his favor, especially at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, and it’s worth noting that the Yankees haven’t faced him since he joined Tampa Bay and returned to his “Fastball Freddy” form. (He was seen as a Met on May 17, and he allowed three runs in five innings despite walking six.) Martinez, on the other hand, is the calm, confident presence the Rays can count on in the always-pivotal Game 3. Tampa Bay went 22-9 behind the All-Star right-hander this season, and was better this season on the road (2.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) than at home (3.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP).
