Schlittler, Early Expected To Start Game 3

The AL Wild Card Series is headed to a winner-take-all Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees are expected to start rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler and the Red Sox are expected to start lefty Connelly Early. Schlittler has risen from a Double-A non-roster invitee into a bona fide postseason option with roughly a 3.00 ERA, high velocity and strong strikeout totals, effectively locking him into contention for New York’s No. 3 playoff starter spot. Early, who struck out seven in five innings in a recent audition, has been effective in limited big-league action but Boston’s platoon approach and heavy bullpen usage could limit how deep he can go. Massachusetts native Ben Rice is widely expected to catch Game 3 for the Yankees, adding a local subplot to the matchup. Manager Aaron Boone says postseason plans remain flexible, and New York’s top two projected starters remain Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. If the Yankees advance, they would head to Toronto for the ALDS, where the Blue Jays’ restricted home-region ticket sales could affect the atmosphere.