MLB Network analyst Al Leiter was on The Rich Eisen Show explaining why the Yankees are going with a ALDS rotation of Sonny Gray in Game 1, CC Sabathia in Game 2, Masahiro Tanaka for Game 3, and Luis Severino in Game 4.
With Severino recording just one out in his dismal WC game start against Minnesota, some had believed that the lack of pitches (29) for the young ace may have actually led Yankees manager Joe Girardi to use the probable AL Cy Young second-runner up in Game 1. Instead, the Yankees will go with their no. 3 starter in the opener, and veteran in Sabathia who has struggled with a 5.40 ERA his last 4 starts vs. the Indians.