Can the New York Yankees actually trust Max Fried in the playoffs?
The New York Yankees will be facing the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs yet again this year, and they are facing quite a dilemma (for some reason) about who will pitch Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
It should be Cam Schlittler. Schlittler posted a 1.95 ERA this season and owns a 0.56 ERA against the Red Sox historically. He has been the best pitcher in the American League and should be treated as such.
But it's looking more and more like the Yankees might get cute and save Schlittler for Game 2, which would then allow them to use Schlittler in Games 2 and 5 in the Division Series.
Personally, I don't think New York should be looking that far ahead. It should just send its best pitcher out to the mound for the postseason opener. But evidently, the Yankees are strongly considering going with Max Fried in Game 1 against Boston.
We know Fried is a terrific pitcher. He recorded a 2.86 ERA during his debut campaign in the Bronx last season. He logged a 2.80 ERA across 20 starts this season. He owns a lifetime 3.01 ERA since entering the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves in 2017.
But he hasn't been great in October.
Fried lays claim to a career 5.31 ERA in postseason ball, and it's not like it's a small sample size: 22 appearances and 14 starts.
Last year, the left-hander allowed seven runs on 12 hits over 9.1 innings in the playoffs, registering an alarming 1.821 WHIP. His lifetime playoff WHIP, by the way, is 1.533.
So can the Yankees actually trust Fried as a Game 1 starter?
Some pitchers fade in the playoffs. Just ask Clayton Kershaw, who had one of the oddest postseason resumes in MLB history. Fried seems to be on a similar wavelength.
Is it possible that Fried just has just had some hard luck? Eh, that's less arguable across 22 playoff outings. Seems more like a trend.
Why, then is New York even weighing the option of rolling out Fried for a Game 1 start when Schlittler could just put the Sox in a 1-0 hole right away?
For as much as Gerrit Cole struggled over the final month of the season, I would prefer Cole to Fried if it comes to that. Cole looked much better over his last couple of starts, and he has a superior October track record.
But really, just go with Schlittler and be done with it.
