Max Fried finding form in time to be part of star-studded Yankees playoff rotation he came here for

Perhaps the main reason the Yankees survived so much missed time by Aaron Judge this year was their starting rotation.For all of its success, though, there was no guarantee that their main arms would be available — at the same time — until recently.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

It has only been the past month in which Tuesday’s Game 1 starter in the wild-card series against Boston, Cam Schlittler, Game 2 starter Max Fried and potential Game 3 starter Gerrit Cole, along with Carlos Rodón, have been able to take all their starts consistently.“It’s something that I was looking forward to when I first signed here,’’ Fried said Tuesday before the Yankees’ 9-0 win of joining Cole and Rodón in the team’s rotation.“It took a little bit longer than anyone probably would have expected.

But also we were able to add another really, really quality arm in Cam.He’s obviously been doing great things.”Even with Cole and Rodón out of the rotation as they recovered from elbow surgeries they underwent in 2025, and Fried hitting the injured list twice with a bone bruise in his left elbow, the Yankees still put up the best ERA among starters in the majors (3.30).But since all got healthy, the rotation put up an ERA of 3.09, with some help from Will Warren.If the Yankees advance to the ALDS to face the Rays — and beyond — Rodón will no doubt return to the rotation, which would give the Yankees a chance against anyone.“It starts with starting pitching keeping you in the game,’’ Fried said.

“We take a lot of pride in being able to put our best foot forward, and we have a lot of confidence in all those guys that are going to be able to take the ball.”The task of the rotation will be tougher with Judge out for at least the wild-card series with a strained calf and with Giancarlo Stanton limited to pinch hitting after missing almost the en...