The New York Yankees have a firm grasp on the first American League Wild Card and may already be making plans for the Wild Card Game.

CC Sabathia was supposed to start on Sunday, but Joe Girardi shuffled the rotation and started Sonny Gray instead. Girardi made the move so that Sabathia could avoid pitching on the Rogers Centre turf when the Yankees begin a series in Toronto on Friday.

Peter Botte of the New York Daily News writes that the real reason may relate to the postseason.

The switch means Luis Severino won't pitch again until Friday and sets him up for one more regular-season start the following Wednesday or Thursday, and then not likely again until Tuesday, Oct. 3 for a potential playoff game.