Yankees ALCS Game 1 opener still up in the air. A look at the starters

NEW YORK – Two days before the AL Championship Series, the Yankees were undecided about their Game 1 starter.

Carlos Rodon is rested and ready, but Clarke Schmidt would be on his regular turn against either the Cleveland Guardians or Detroit Tigers in Monday night’s best-of-seven opener at Yankee Stadium.

“We’ll let today unfold and talk about it and probably make a decision (Saturday) night or (Sunday) morning,’’ said Aaron Boone.

The Yankees’ manager said the opponent “might factor in a little bit,’’ but “we’ll kind of talk through that’’ as a staff.

According to Boone, Luis Gil would “go later in the series’’ and is not in consideration for Game 1. Gil, who did not appear in the ALDS, will throw simulated game Sunday.

Ace Gerrit Cole is in line to pitch Game 2, after tossing seven strong innings in Thursday night’s Division Series clinching Game 4 at Kansas City.

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Marcus Stroman, who did not make the ALDS cut, could be added to the ALCS roster – the Yanks are considering taking 12 or 13 pitchers, Boone said.

Clarke Schmidt in consideration for Game 1 start

So, Monday’s starter likely is between Rodon, the $162 million veteran lefty, and Schmidt, the more effective starter during the ALDS.

Rodon had a blazing start to Game 2 last Monday at Yankee Stadium, retiring seven of the first eight Royals batters, five on strikeouts.

But the wheels came off during a four-run fourth inning, with Rodon ultimately charged with four runs on seven hits (no walks) in 3.2 innings, in a 4-2 Royals win.

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Schmidt lasted 4.2 innings in his first postseason start in Game 3 at Kansas City, pitching effectively until he gave up three straight two-out hits that ended his evening, in a 2-2 game.

Schmidt threw 71 pitches, and the Yanks would go on to win, 3-2.

Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu updates

Boone was still unsure of first baseman Anthony Rizzo's status, recovering from fractures to the fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand.

"That'll probably be a little closer to Monday where we make that decision,'' Boone said of potentially adding the veteran lefty hitter to the ALCS roster. "We'll see what he's able to do (Saturday) and (Sunday) and make a decision there.''

Rizzo has made progress since being hit by a pitch on the second to last day of the regular season, though "he hasn't done a lot physically, baseball wise'' in order to accelerate the healing process.

Sidelined since early September due to a hip impingement, DJ LeMahieu "is doing pretty well'' Boone said.

LeMahieu has been ramping up his baseball activity and is "moving around well,'' but "we'll see'' if he's a consideration for the ALCS roster.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees ALCS Game 1 opener still up in the air. A look at the starters