Gerrit Cole will take the ball first for the Yankees in the American League Division Series, drawing the Game 1 assignment against the Rays on Saturday at Tropicana Field.
New York announced the decision Friday, lining up the veteran right-hander for a 6:30 p.m. ET first pitch. The opener will air on TBS, truTV, UniMas and HBO Max.
Cole had been set aside for a possible Game 3 start in the Wild Card Series against Boston, but the Yankees finished off the Red Sox in two games and never needed to use him. That sweep sends him into the division round on regular preparation rather than on a short turnaround.
Cole returns to the October rotation
The 36-year-old right-hander went 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts during the regular season, his first campaign back after missing all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He debuted on May 22 at Yankee Stadium and worked 127 innings, striking out 131 hitters.
Saturday will mark Cole’s 23rd career postseason outing, and every one has come as a starter. It will also be his first October appearance since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, when he permitted five unearned runs over 6 2/3 innings in the series-clinching loss.
In 12 playoff starts for the Yankees, Cole owns a 2.93 ERA. He also brings considerable familiarity with Tampa Bay into this assignment.
A familiar opponent awaits in Tampa Bay
Cole started three times against the Rays this season and held them to three runs or fewer in each appearance. Across 23 regular-season starts against Tampa Bay—the most he has made against any opponent—he has posted a 3.33 ERA.
The Yankees and Rays have also met four times with Cole involved in the postseason, including two matchups during the 2020 ALDS. Tropicana Field will provide another chapter in a rivalry that has repeatedly put Cole on the mound.
Tampa Bay will counter with right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a two-time All-Star. Rasmussen finished the 2026 regular season with a 2.67 ERA, the seventh-best mark among qualified major league starters.
