Despite finish, Cole to still start Game 1

The Yankees rotation is set for the ALDS, with Gerrit Cole getting the ball for Game 1.

Cole will start against the Guardians on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, with Nestor Cortes following in Game 2 and Luis Severino in Game 3, manager Aaron Boone announced on Sunday.

Boone had indicated last month that Cole would be his Game 1 starter, but since then there had been some question whether Cortes might be a better option with his more consistent season and stronger finish. Boone on Sunday declined to say how much consideration he gave to someone other than Cole starting the series opener.

“With those three guys, I really like where they’re at and feel like they stack up really well,” Boone said as the Yankees worked out in The Bronx. “I at least considered every angle, but ultimately decided this was the way we wanted to go.”

Cole, the Yankees’ $324 million right-hander, posted a 3.50 ERA during the regular season with 33 home runs allowed — the second-most in the majors.

Over his final five starts of the season, Cole posted a 5.22 ERA with nine home runs allowed over 29 ¹/₃ innings. But in two starts against the Guardians this year, he gave up two runs over 12 2/₃ innings, both wins.

The left-handed Cortes, meanwhile, posted a 2.44 ERA across a career-high 28 starts and 158 ¹/₃ innings. After a brief stint on the IL for a groin strain, Cortes finished the regular season by giving up just four runs across five starts and 27 ¹/₃ innings.

Cole’s most recent postseason start for the Yankees was one to forget as he got tagged for three runs on four hits (including two home runs) and two walks in two-plus innings against the Red Sox in the AL wild-card game at Fenway Park last October. He was still dealing with a hamstring issue at the time that appeared to compromise him, but he will get a shot at redemption beginning Tuesday.

By starting Game 1, Cole would be available to come back on regular rest for Game 4. Boone indicated the Yankees would keep a three-man rotation for the ALDS, with Jameson Taillon and Domingo German expected to be options out of the bullpen. Should the series get to Game 5, Cortes would either need to come back on short rest or the Yankees would use a bullpen game.

“This is one of the areas of our club that I’m really excited about heading into the postseason,” Boone said of his rotation. “I feel like all three of those guys, and then some if you want to throw Jamo and Domingo into the mix, we can go match up with other teams’ pitchers. Feel like this is the best way to line it up as we embark on our goal of winning a championship.”