After some fooling around, the Yankees secured the American League East crown with a win Thursday against the O’s. Their final series of the year against the last-place Pirates was nothing short of amazing. These games still have it some However, that means the AL’s top seed is still up for grabs. While the approach might be a little different for this three-game set with the division lockout (and possibly a day of rest for Aaron Judge looming), the Yankees still have something to play for. Let’s take a look at the likely pitchers for the Yankees’ final series of the regular season.

Friday: Carlos Rodón vs. Jared Jones (7:05 p.m. ET)

Carlos Rodón will look to cap off his decent rebounding season in the series opener in the Bronx. The veteran left-hander has been in top form for most of late, throwing 23.1 innings in his last four starts, allowing just five earned runs. He has earned an ERA under 4 this season and hopes to continue that momentum. He faced the Buccos in September of last season and hit double figures in 6.2 innings.

Paul Skenes isn’t the only rookie in Pittsburgh this season, as 22-year-old Jared Jones made his final start to his debut season on Friday in the Bronx. The right-hander started the year (and his career) on a high note, going at least five innings and striking out at least seven in each of his first five starts this season. However, Jones hasn’t been performing so well lately, as his last start was a blowout against the Reds and he had a 6.15 ERA in his last five games. Overall, Jones put together a respectable rookie season, leaning on his four-seamer and slider en route to a 4.10 FIP over 117.2 innings.

Saturday: Luis Gil vs. Paul Skenes (1:05 ​​p.m. ET)

This should be a top-notch matchup. Luis Gil will have a rocky start against the Athletics, where he allowed four runs in 5.1 innings. But the exciting right-winger will be hoping to put the finishing touches to what has proven to be a revelatory season in 2024. The Yankees needed another hitting arm, and Gil was just that for much of the year. The 26-year-old has been far from perfect since the start of August, posting a 4.84 FIP in that time, but the Yankees are hoping he gets one The final conversion will serve well until October.

Speaking of Paul Skenes, the Yankees are expected to face the phenom on Saturday afternoon and try to put an end to his likely rookie of the year award. Ahead of this scheduled start, Pittsburgh’s rookie is in the midst of his 12th season of the century with over 130 innings pitched and an ERA below 2. He’s striking out nearly a third of opposing batters, and he’s not exactly slowing down either, as he’s been in his last had a sparkling 0.82 ERA through four innings. He has been one of the game’s best this year and will be a good test for the Yankees before the postseason.

Sunday: Clarke Schmidt vs. Bailey Falter (3:05 p.m. ET)

The return of Clarke Schmidt down the stretch could be a huge boost for the Yankees, and he’ll be looking to make one last go in the final game of the regular season. The right-hander is in the midst of his best quality pitching season, posting a stellar 2.55 ERA in his 81.1 innings. Since returning earlier this month after a month-long absence, Schmidt hasn’t really taken a break, allowing six runs in his 20.2 frames, and he’s struck out seven in consecutive starts heading into this Sunday’s match. The longer he can maintain this level of success, the more confidence the Yankees can have in their pitching staff in the playoffs.

The Bombers’ final test will likely come in the regular season finale against Bailey Falter. He has been a solid innings eater for Pittsburgh this season, far surpassing his career high with 139.1 innings pitched this season. The former Phillie will use his four-pitch mix against the AL East champs after getting off to a shaky start against another playoff team, the Brewers, giving up four earned runs in five innings of work.