American League Wild Card Aces

In a three-game wild card series, one dominant starting pitching effort can be the difference. Here is a look at the recent form and playoff history of some of the most likely impactful starting pitchers in the American League Wild Card round. 

Cam Schlittler – New York Yankees

The MLB debut of Schlittler was less than 15 months ago but he has proven himself considerably as the likely AL Cy Young winner in his first full season as a starting pitcher, posting a 1.95 ERA in 33 starts with an 11.1 K/9. Schlittler had a dominant run to close the season with nine consecutive starts allowing no more than one run for a 1.17 ERA since early August. Schlittler answered the call in the postseason last season with an eight-inning gem against the Red Sox to win Game 3 in the Wild Card series, and he had a decent start in New York’s eventual loss in Game 4 of the ALDS vs. Toronto as his postseason ERA is 1.26 in the small sample size. Schlittler started against Boston four times this season and allowed two earned runs in over 26 innings of work as he will be the obvious choice to lead New York at the start of this series. 

Payton Tolle – Boston Red Sox

After posting a 6.06 ERA in seven appearances last season, Tolle emerged as Boston’s top starter this season, helping offset the Garrett Crochet injury that cost the Red Sox last season’s ace most of the season. Tolle is only 23 years old, and he has not yet pitched in the postseason. Tolle did deliver two excellent starts vs. the Yankees this season with 13 innings pitched and one run and four hits allowed combined, though both starts were at Fenway Park and he has never pitched at Yankee Stadium. Tolle had a 2.50 ERA in 72 road innings, and he could face a depleted New York lineup with Aaron Judge still a significant question mark. New York did go 35-20 vs. left-handed starters this season but the splits were unremarkable, particularly late in the season. 

Hunter Brown – Houston Astros

Brown might be slotted to start Game 2 of this series having pitched Friday in Sacramento as Houston’s playoff position came down to the final day of the regular season. Brown missed a big chunk of the 2025 season but remains the top starter for Houston, finishing with a 3.19 ERA and a 10.4 K/9. He had a 3.07 road ERA and a 2.73 in September while delivering 13 innings with just two runs allowed in a pair of wins vs. the White Sox this season. Brown had a terrific 2025 season for Houston, and he has plenty of postseason experience. Brown pitched in relief in Houston’s 2022 championships season though he didn’t pitch in the World Series, while he also pitched out of the bullpen in the 2023 postseason for the Astros. His only playoff start was a solid effort last season despite a loss in the Wild Card round vs. Detroit with Brown owning a 1.65 postseason ERA in over 16 innings of work. 

Sean Burke – Chicago White Sox

Burke finished with a 9.7 K/9 and a 3.34 ERA this season in a breakout season at age 26. Burke had strong road splits with a 2.58 ERA, and he had a 3.24 ERA after the All-Star Break. Four of his five September starts were excellent as Chicago earned a playoff position in a crowded AL race, though Chicago surrendered the division title to Cleveland. Burke had good numbers vs. the Astros with 16 strikeouts in just under 12 innings of work including a scoreless effort in Houston on September 1. Burke made his MLB debut in 2024 and has only pitched for the White Sox as he does not have any postseason experience as he faces an 81-81 Astros team, though Houston was 65-56 vs. right-handed starters this season. In the key matchup, Yordan Alvarez doesn’t have a hit in six at-bats vs. Burke, though he has walked three times vs. Burke.