On the latest edition of The Sal Licata Show, Sal made the case that the Yankees are overthinking their Wild Card rotation. If Cam Schlittler is their best pitcher, he should get the ball in Game 1 against Tampa Bay.
Start With The Best Pitcher
The Yankees can run every rest scenario, matchup split and possible ALDS Game 5 through the computer. They’ve still got to win the first game before any of that matters.
“Why would you mess around with having Cam Schlittler start Game 2? Like, what are we doing here? Why are you overthinking it?”
Schlittler won’t be ready for Game 1 of the Division Series whether he starts the first or second game of the Wild Card round. Start him in Game 1, get ahead in the series, and deal with the next round if the Yankees get there.
There’s a case for saving him. A Game 1 win gives him the chance to close the series in Game 2. A Game 1 loss puts him on the mound with the season on the line. That approach leaves the opener to somebody else while the Yankees wait on their best arm.
“I would just not overthink it. Start Cam Game 1. Expect to win Game 1.”
Schlittler gets Game 1. Max Fried gets Game 2. A Game 3 starter only matters if the series gets that far. Rodón’s been better at home, making a road start against Tampa Bay a tougher sell.
The Yankees have their best arm. Start him.
One More Thing
The Giants can’t lose to Tennessee at home and expect the conversation around the season to stay the same. Jackson Dart is out for the year. A loss to the Titans would turn the focus from getting through the injury to wondering how much progress the new regime has really made.
“This is what Harbaugh is here for. He is here to build the structure, build the foundation, build this team the right way so they can compete no matter the circumstances.”
Jameis Winston gets a full week to prepare. The Giants are at home against a Tennessee team they’re favored to beat. A win won’t answer every question about the rest of the season. It would give Harbaugh a chance to show that the operation can hold up when the quarterback plan changes in September.
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