The Yankees took care of business through the season’s first two weeks, winning each of their three series. While the team has been solid offensively, its starting rotation has led the way, posting a 1.81 ERA that leads all of baseball by a wide margin. In their second season playing in West Sacramento, the Athletics have gotten off to a more sluggish start, finding themselves in the AL West cellar after a 3-6 record to open the year. The two teams will convene in the Bronx starting tonight for a mid-week
series. Let’s take a look at the likely pitching matchups for each of the three games.
Tuesday: Cam Schlittler vs. Aaron Civale (7:05 pm ET)
Cam Schlittler emerged unexpectedly down the stretch for the Yankees last season, pitching like a ready-made ace into the postseason. He’s picked up right where he left off so far this year, allowing no runs and just three total baserunners in his first two starts, including a 6.1-inning, seven-strikeout outing last Wednesday on the road against an imposing Mariners lineup. He didn’t reach 80 pitches in either game, a sign that there may be even more in the tank if he can continue to pitch with his current level of efficiency.
Aaron Civale bounced between three teams last year, struggling while in the rotation but finding some success out of the bullpen. The A’s signed the 30-year-old this offseason to start and he had a solid debut in the green and gold, allowing two runs in five innings en route to a victory over the Braves. Civale’s fastball sits in the low-90s but he mixes in a bevy of complementary pitches, including a high-80s cutter which was his primary pitch last season.
Wednesday: Will Warren vs. Luis Severino (7:05 pm ET)
After an inconsistent rookie campaign last year, Will Warren has gotten off to a strong start this season. The 26-year-old has allowed just three runs through his first two outings, though he’s only made it through a combined 10 innings. He’s inducing far more weak contact than last year, when opponents’ average exit velocity of 91 mph put Warren near the bottom of the league. His sinker has been particularly effective, holding batters to a .200 slugging percentage.
He’s lined up to face an old friend of the Yankees. In year two of the largest free-agent deal in Athletics history, Luis Severino is looking to build on a middling — and contentious — first go-around. The veteran hasn’t pitched like an ace thus far in 2026, allowing six runs in just 8.1 innings through his first two starts. Severino’s average fastball velocity is up nearly a tick since last year but he’s been felled by the free pass, having already walked eight batters in the early going.
Thursday: Ryan Weathers vs. Jeffrey Springs (1:35 pm ET)
Acquired this offseason as the most notable outside addition to the “running-it-back” Yankees, Ryan Weathers has yet to show he can be more than a swingman. The left-hander was unable to make it through the fifth inning in either of his two starts, including a disappointing outing against the Marlins last time out in which he allowed three runs and nine baserunners in 3.1 innings before getting the hook. After having reasonably modest splits over the course of his career, righties have feasted off him so far this year, touching up the southpaw for a .320 batting average and .814 OPS.
The A’s will turn to Jeffrey Springs on getaway day. After emerging as a dominant starter with the Rays in 2022, Springs’ career was derailed by a UCL injury. He made 30 starts last year and posted a solid 4.11 ERA, though his expected stats anticipated some regression. The 33-year-old has been nails so far this year, allowing just three runs in 11.1 innings as the clear bright spot in what has been one of the least effective rotations in the game. At this stage of his career, Springs is the prototypical crafty lefty, tossing a heater in the low 90s alongside several off-speed pitches.
