Postseason FAQ: What's next for Yankees?

NEW YORK -- Jazz Chisholm Jr. pounded his glove at third base in an empty Yankee Stadium earlier this week, his Yankees club participating in a light workout as they waited to learn the identity of their opponent in the upcoming American League Division Series.

His eyes scanned the decks of the ballpark, now dressed in red, white and blue bunting, and he sensed the energy undercurrent. It may have seemed quiet then, but come Saturday against the Royals, this place will be electric -- the stuff of childhood fantasies.

“I used to be in my backyard as a kid, just dreaming of going to the playoffs and hitting in the bottom of the ninth with the crowd going crazy,” Chisholm said on Wednesday. “I’d flip up that rock like it’s a pitch and hit it, like, ‘Home run!’

“That’s what’s been going through my head all my life. I feel like this has been all my life, preparing myself for this type of moment, playing in Yankee Stadium in the playoffs -- and getting to the World Series and winning.”

The Yankees were the first AL team to clinch a spot in this year’s postseason, assuring themselves at least an AL Wild Card berth with their 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Mariners on Sept. 18 at T-Mobile Park.

Having secured the AL East with a 10-1 victory over Baltimore on Sept. 26 at Yankee Stadium, their sights are set upon much, much more.

It has been 15 years since the Yankees’ last appearance in a World Series, when they opened their new stadium by hoisting a championship trophy for the 27th time. Everyone in pinstripes agrees that the next title is long past due.

“I trust our guys. I think they’re mentally tough,” manager Aaron Boone said. “A lot of them are really battle-tested. We’ve been through a lot. You still never know; a lot of teams right now are feeling that way. Any team in the playoffs has the ability to beat anybody else. Same rings true for us; if we play our best baseball, we’re as good or better than anyone.”

What could the postseason roster look like?
Rosters revert to 26 players for the postseason, with a maximum of 13 pitchers. Rosters are due the morning of Game 1 in each round, so there’s plenty of time before the Yankees must make a final call, but here’s an early guess of how they could set things for a potential AL Division Series. During the 2022 ALDS, the Yankees carried 12 pitchers and 14 position players.

This roster projection has been updated to reflect Anthony Rizzo’s right hand injury, sustained on Saturday.

C: Austin Wells, Jose Trevino
1B: Ben Rice
2B: Gleyber Torres
SS: Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera
3B: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jon Berti
LF: Jasson Domínguez, Alex Verdugo
CF: Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham
RF: Juan Soto
DH: Giancarlo Stanton
SP: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil
RP: Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Tim Mayza, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, Luke Weaver

How could this roster change?
This projection assumes that Rizzo will not be available, that Cousins will be able to return from a right pectoral strain and that the Yankees will carry the trio of Verdugo, Domínguez and Grisham for the ALDS. Boone did indicate Domínguez would play a big part, while not specifically stating if Domínguez or Verdugo would start in left field.

There is a case to be made that Grisham could be left off in favor of pinch-runner Duke Ellis. Boone said on Tuesday that the team has not yet decided if Stroman will be on the ALDS roster. If he’s not on the roster, Mark Leiter Jr. or Cody Poteet could get a nod. Scott Effross and Will Warren are other choices.

Who are the Yankees going to face?
The Yankees own the No. 1 seed in the American League and will face the Royals, who swept the Orioles in the AL Wild Card Series. The Yanks were 5-2 against Kansas City this season. The AL Division Series begins on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

When do the playoffs start?
The AL Wild Card Series is scheduled to be played Oct. 1-3. With the Yankees bypassing that round, the AL Division Series begins on Oct. 5 at Yankee Stadium.

How can I get postseason tickets?
Tickets for the ALDS and potential ALCS games at Yankee Stadium went on sale Sept. 20. Please visit https://www.mlb.com/yankees/tickets/postseason for more information.

What will the playoff rotation look like?
The Yankees have announced that Cole will start Game 1 and Rodón will start Game 2. Their choice for Game 3 remains up for discussion; Boone has said Gil and Schmidt are being considered. Schmidt will be available in relief for the first two ALDS games.

With Cole ready to return if the series goes to a fourth game, they wouldn't need a fourth starter until a potential ALCS.

What about the bullpen?
With Holmes having lost his closer's role, Boone has said that he is comfortable proceeding with a closer-by-committee, though Weaver has been dominant since being thrust into more crucial innings. Boone suggested that the most important outs of the game may not necessarily be in the ninth.

"It may turn out that Luke Weaver is closing a lot of games," Boone said, "but it may turn out that Luke comes into a spot in the sixth inning and gets four or five important outs when the game is on the line. One of the things I love about the group down there is, a lot of them are really throwing the ball well and really capable in high-leverage at the back end."

Are there any significant health concerns?
Yes, and Boone must be kicking himself for not knocking on wood when he spoke about the Yankees’ good health going into the season’s final week. Rizzo fractured two fingers after being hit by a pitch on Saturday and is uncertain for the postseason; his availability will depend on how much pain he is able to tolerate.

Nestor Cortes’ left elbow flexor strain disrupted the Yankees’ playoff planning, as the lefty could have been a valuable weapon as a starter or reliever. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is on the IL with a right hip impingement and is uncertain to play again this season. Cousins missed time with a right pectoral strain but is on track to return in time for the first round.