The MLB playoffs got underway yesterday, and with the Yankees on a bye fans and players alike will get to see how things unfold right in front of them. Despite a gem from Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher Corbin Burnes, the O’s lost to the Kansas City Royals in game one of the wild card series last night. The winner of that three-game series will advance to the Divisional round to take on the Yankees in a five-game series.
For those who don’t know, the Yankees had the best record in the American League meaning they bypass the wildcard round and setback waiting for an opponent to come to New York. The number one seed also means they have home-field advantage through the ALCS (the conference championship).
The Yanks have already announced that their acre Gerrit Cole will start game one of their series against KC or Baltimore. It was also reported Carlos Rodón will be on the mound for game two. The starter for game three is still uncertain but will likely be AL ROTY favorite Luis Gil.
Matt Blake, the Yankees’ pitching coach, said, “Just seeing how many of the pen guys we use, what that looks like if we go to extras or something, just having some flexibility for that game.”
He went on to say that there is worry about Gil being used in a possible bullpen situation because he has never had to do that at the major league level, “Definitely a concern, something we haven’t done with him up to this point,” Blake said. “So definitely some unknown involved with that and that’s part of the conversation about why we might use Clarke and him in different roles.” This could lead to Gil getting the ball in game three.
Another interesting roster move could be Alex Verdugo moving the bench. According to multiple reports, the Yankees have considered moving Jasson “Martian” Domínguez into the starting left field spot. That said, it feels more likely that Verdugo gets game one, and depending on performance he would get a potential day off for the Martian in game two or three.
