Yankees might've just given away who their No. 3 postseason starter will be

In all likelihood, the New York Yankees will be the No. 4 seed in the American League when the 2025 playoffs commence, meaning they will kick off their postseason action on Sept. 30. Their opponent? To be determined. It could be the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, or Houston Astros. It's that crowded of a picture.

For weeks, fans have been wondering who the Yankees' No. 3 starter will be in a hypothetical Wild Card series/ALDS. Cam Schlittler or Luis Gil? What if Will Warren impressed in his final few outings? Nothing was guaranteed, but we thought we might've had a clue.

It turns out the Yankees might've given us a recent hint with how their rotation will shake out next week. Though everything's still up in the air, as reported on Sunday after their win over the Baltimore Orioles, a look on ESPN's schedule page suggests otherwise.

As expected, the Yankees have lined up Max Fried and Carlos Rodón for Games 1 and 2 of a Wild Card series, which is no surprise. And Fried will be getting an extra day of rest after his final outing of the regular season on Wednesday — and it's much needed, because he's nearing the 200-inning mark.

Beyond that, both Will Warren and Cam Schlittler are lined up to be on extra rest/regular rest, if we're to believe the rotation layout on the ESPN schedule page. Here's what it looked like before Boone made that change on Tuesday morning:

• Tuesday vs White Sox: Luis Gil
• Wednesday vs White Sox: Max Fried
• Thursday vs White Sox: Will Warren
• Friday vs Orioles: Carlos Rodón
• Saturday vs Orioles: Cam Schlittler
• Sunday vs Orioles: Luis Gil

We know the Yankees never hesitate to make last-minute alterations, but ... this all but takes Gil out of the equation for the Wild Card series. It feels like there's a 0% chance they would use him on short rest after all the time he's missed due to injury this year.

Does this mean Yankees fans can expect some combination of Schlittler/Warren if the Yankees go to a do-or-die Game 3 in the WC series? The Rodón move was to give the veteran lefty and extra day of rest, like Fried.

Aaron Boone has largely kept all of this close to the vest, praising all of his pitchers and claiming they will play big roles down the stretch and into the postseason. There was never going to be an outright declaration. Fans knew it would hinge on however the alignment shook out so then Boone could use "rest" as the defining factor.

Well, without official confirmation, we may have our answer. Based on Schlittler's most recent performance, fans probably aren't opposed to it, but there will be questions asked if the Yankees are facing the Red Sox and Gil, who dominates them, is nowhere to be found.