TORONTO – The Yankees made one swap to their ALDS roster, as Luis Gil took the place of Mark Leiter Jr.
It was no surprise that Gil was going to be on the roster, as he was selected to start Game 1 of the series against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Leiter, meanwhile, missed the cut after not appearing in the Yankees’ three-game Wild Card Series against the Red Sox.
Just as they did in the Wild Card Series, the Yankees are carrying 12 pitchers and 14 position players for the ALDS.
Starting Pitchers (4): Luis Gil, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler
The Yankees’ Game 1 starter came down to Gil and Will Warren. Boone said Friday that he preferred to keep Warren in a bullpen role for now.
The manager also said Max Fried will start Game 2. Boone added that the Yankees will “probably” line up their following rotation the same way they did in the Wild Card Series. That would mean Carlos Rodón in Game 3 and, if necessary, Cam Schlittler – fresh off a dazzling postseason debut – in Game 4.
Relief Pitchers (8): David Bednar, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Will Warren, Tim Hill, Paul Blackburn
The Yankees opted to keep longman Paul Blackburn instead of Leiter. Boone noted before the Wild Card Series that Blackburn “earned his way on” by pitching to a 0.90 ERA over 10 innings in September.
With Ryan Yarbrough and Brent Headrick off the roster again, Tim Hill remains the only lefty in the pen.
Catchers (3): Austin Wells, Ben Rice, J.C. Escarra
Escarra made the cut again after the Yankees preferred to only have Rice play first base in the Wild Card Series. Boone hasn’t ruled out Rice putting the gear on this postseason, but Wells is the better receiver, and Escarra’s presence provides extra coverage.
Infielders (6): Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, Ryan McMahon, José Caballero, Amed Rosario
The Yankees’ infield defense played well in the Wild Card Series. The club has to hope that continues, as the Rogers Centre was a defensive house of horrors for this team over the summer.
That was before the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon, a defensive wiz at third, though.
Outfielders (5): Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Jasson Domínguez
There are two reasons to keep an eye on Judge this series, the first being that the Red Sox were eager to test his arm in the Wild Card Series. So were the Blue Jays when Judge returned to right field in early September, though his velocity has improved a bit following a right flexor strain.
The Jays also love to walk Judge, as they did so 15 times during the regular season. Seven of those were intentional.
