The Yankees can’t afford to look ahead, but if they advance past the A’s in the wild-card game, Chris Sale will be waiting.

Even though the Red Sox ace is still building up his pitch count, following two stints on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced Tuesday that Sale will start Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park, on Oct. 5.

“He’s going to pitch [Wednesday] against the Orioles. That will be his last start of the season,” Dombrowski said on the MLB Radio Network. “He will stretch, pitch to 90-ish pitches and then be ready to go for 100 pitches for the postseason. He’ll be scheduled to start, I don’t think it will surprise anybody, the first day of the postseason. … I don’t mean to usurp anyone’s announcement, but I think it’s been one of those, it’s been pretty clear.”

Sale has pitched just 7 1/3 innings in his past three starts, but has been the best pitcher in the American League when healthy. The seven-time All-Star has gone 12-4 with a 2.00 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 153 1/3 innings and allowed just one run — while striking out 19 — in 13 innings against the Yankees this season.

David Price, who is 15-7 with a 3.53 ERA, likely will take the mound in Game 2. In four starts against the Yankees this season, the lefty has posted a 10.34 ERA.