The Tuesday Discussion: The Playoff Rotation
September 8, 2026
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The Tuesday Discussion is back this week with a simple question that we asked our writers:
How would you set-up the Yankees starting pitching for the playoffs?
Here are their replies:
Derek McAdam - Cam Schlittler starts Game 1, followed by Max Fried in Game 2, Gerrit Cole in Game 3 and Carlos Rodon in Game 4. There is no question that the Yankees have one of the deepest post-season starting rotations in the league, as long as they can all stay healthy.
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Ed Botti - Depending on opponent, I'm leaning towards Schlittler. Fried. Cole. Rodon.
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Paul Semendinger - Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon (a rotation that could take the Yankees all the way)
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Tim Kabel - I would go with Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon. Will Warren would be the primary long man in case any of them struggled.
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Mike Whiteman - Schlittler has earned Game One, and I think he can handle it. Fried presents a totally different look for Game Two. Joe Torre once said that Game Three might be the most important game, and I think would be in good hands with Cole. Rodon is a pretty darned good #4 starter.
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(Cover image created with the assistance of ChatGPT)
I still have to slot Gerrit Cole in at the top of the rotation. He's 11-6 in the postseason with a 2.77 ERA over 133.1 IP and he's struck out 156 while only walking 36. He's been giving up three times as many home runs compared to back in his Spider-Tac days in Houston, but he's got the experience to handle a game one. I'm also riding a gut-feeling here, as I think it's likely that Cole will rise to the challenge and dominate on the game's biggest stages.
Following Cole and only if healthy, would have to Max Fried. I'm going with the crafty, veteran lefty here not based on his postseason track record, but mainly because I'd opt…
It all depends on whether Gerrit Cole decides to throw left-handed and Max Fried decides to throw right-handed. Then I think they shouldn't be in the rotation.
AI is pernicious garbage.
He’s BAAAAACK!
if Weathers is available and looking good,
Cole
Fried
Schlittler
Rodon
Schlittler is the only one of the group who has pitched a full amount of innings in 2026 and I want him to get a fair amount of rest before providing the Yankees with a heavy advantage in a third game of the likely three-game wild card series that seems likely to be the yankees post-season lot.
Cole is a serious cat and a resourceful one, he's a good choice to open any series and give full attention toward minimizing opposition hitters for 6 innings and then bringing in Weathers allows the bullpen to avoid much exposure in the opening game.
Fried will keep hitters off-balance for 5 or…
It depends on if they start at home or on the road.
Cole has been better at home, Schlittler has been a lot better on the road.
Fried has been better on the road but not radically. Rodon has very little split.
It is worth noting that neither of Fried nor Rodon has been very good in the postseason.
That said, Fried and Rodon are #2 and #4 respectively regardless of where the series begins.
If they start at home, Cole gets games #1 and #5. Cam gets #3 and #7.
If they start on the road, flip them.