Veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series for the Yankees against the Rays on Saturday at Tropicana Field, the club announced Friday morning.
Cole had been slated to start Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, but New York dispatched of Boston in a two-game sweep.
The 36-year-old went 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts this season after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. Cole recorded 131 strikeouts in 127 innings pitched after making his season debut at Yankee Stadium on May 22.
This will be Cole’s 23rd career postseason appearance -- all starts -- and his first since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, when he allowed five unearned runs in 6 2/3 innings in a series-ending defeat. He has pitched to a 2.93 ERA in 12 career playoff starts with the Yankees.
Cole will oppose Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a two-time All-Star whose 2.67 ERA ranked seventh lowest among qualified starting pitchers in 2026.
Cole made three starts this season against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs or fewer in all three outings. He owns a 3.33 ERA across 23 career starts against the Rays, his most against any team. Cole has also faced off against Tampa Bay four times in the postseason, including twice in the 2020 ALDS.