{"id":118245,"date":"2026-04-09T00:34:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=118245"},"modified":"2026-04-09T00:35:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:35:17","slug":"two-yankees-starting-rotation-x-factors-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/04\/09\/two-yankees-starting-rotation-x-factors-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look at Two Yankees Starting Rotation X-Factors This Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 season is a huge one for the New York Yankees. After an early postseason exit last year, the club needs a strong rebound. To do so, they\u2019ll expect contributions from their starting rotation, specifically two main x-factors<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian Cashman and his front office decided to run it back this season, with 98% of the team from last season returning. They plugged holes and polished both the bullpen and the starting rotation. Ryan Weathers<\/a> was added in the offseason as one of the only notable acquisitions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cashman is confident in his club and current roster. Their main key to success starts with health. The starting rotation has two x-factor pitchers currently rehabbing and preparing for a return<\/a>: Gerrit Cole<\/a> and Luis Gil<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New York will depend on a diverse rotation that consists of some strong options. The two main x-factor starting pitchers for the Yankees to start the season are Max Fried<\/a> and Cam Schlittler<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two X-Factors in the 2026 Yankees Rotation<\/h2>\n

Max Fried\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some may say Fried is not an x-factor, but a baseline or a foundation to the pitching staff. Cole may be a true x-factor when he\u2019s back and up to full health. Until then, who is the arm you send to the bump for a must-win game?<\/span><\/p>\n

Fried would answer that question.\u00a0 The baseline argument for his x-factor status lies in his statistics from 2025. His first year in the pinstripes was a success. Fried\u2019s main x-factor statistic from 2025 was his WAR, which was 4.5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The left-hander led the league in wins last season with a 19-5 record; he also led in win-loss percentage at .792. Fried kept his ERA sub-3.00, at 2.86 to be exact. The current Yankees ace<\/a>\u00a0finished last year with 195 1\/3 innings pitched.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His innings total illustrates his ability for depth; he\u2019s a workhorse and will work into games, putting minimal stress on the bullpen.\u00a0 Fried possesses a six-pitch repertoire, which puts him at an advantage for outs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Max Fried, Gorgeous 77mph Curveball. \ud83d\ude0d pic.twitter.com\/wUDS21vdki<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n