The New York Yankees have a major dilemma on their hands as far as their starting rotation is concerned heading into the playoffs.

For the most part, the New York Yankees' starting pitching has been very good this season, and that's even with Gerrit Cole being sidelined due to Tommy John surgery.

Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have done a tremendous job headlining the rotation, and the Yankees have also managed to survive numerous other key injuries by piecing together a staff that includes Luis Gil (who missed a good chunk of time with a lat strain), Will Warren and Cam Schlittler.

Warren has essentially been New York's No. 3 starter this season, and he has certainly been impressive. The 26-year-old owns a 4.44 ERA while allowing 148 hits and registering 160 strikeouts over 152 innings of work. However, after his most recent outing against the Boston Red Sox, one thing has become very clear: Warren cannot be the Yankees' third starter in the playoffs.

Why? Because New York may very well see Boston in its opening postseason series, and Warren owns a 9.42 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox in 2025. Moreover, the 26-year-old has struggled against top-tier competition in general this season. That doesn't exactly spell good news for his playoff prospects.New Y

The Yankees' don't really have a clear-cut answer behind Fried and Rodon, but they should probably lean toward Gil, who already has some October experience from last year and owns a 2.83 ERA through eight starts this season. Even Gil is a bit iffy given his alarming walk rate (5.9 BB/9), but he probably represents the best option New York has.

Would the Yanks roll with Schlittler? We can't completely rule out the possibility, as the rookie has pitched to the tune of a 3.05 ERA while boasting an impressive 10.1 K/9 rate in 11 starts. But his lack of postseason experience — and big-league experience in general — is an issue.

Gil made two starts in the 2024 playoffs. He wasn't great, allowing six runs in eight frames, but he at least knows what it's like to pitch in October. The same cannot be said for either Warren nor Schlittler, and again, the former has looked incredibly shaky against stronger teams.

The Yankees need to ensure they get this right, especially with their bullpen having imploded the last couple of months.

Warren just doesn't seem like the answer. At least not this season. The smart move is to just roll with Gil and have arms like Warren, Schlittler and Ryan Yarbrough on deck in case things go haywire.