New York Yankees Joel Sherman Yankees had no bad options for Game 1 — but Aaron Boone saved himself some second-guessing By Joel Sherman Published Sep. 27, 2026, 6:18 p.m. ET New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone reacts after the final out of the ninth inning when the New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles in game two of their doubleheader at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post These Yankees share a trait with their dynasty years:
It is one reason the Joe Torre Yankees were a dynasty. Those Yankees were never left in a bad position with a starter. If one series ended on David Cone and the next had to open with Orlando Hernandez, that was fine. If Roger Clemens or David Wells pitched Game 1 and lost, no worries: Andy Pettitte was sitting in Game 2.
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Aaron Boone had nothing but good options to open the wild-card series Tuesday night. In the end, he went with his best — and the one that would cause the least second-guessing and noise. Cam Schlittler, the presumptive AL Cy Young Award winner, will start the opener. He will be followed by Max Fried and, if necessary, Gerrit Cole. Carlos Rodón, who arguably outpitched them all down the stretch, will be in the pen.
