The Yankees Rotation Could Still Win a World Series, Here’s How
The New York Yankees 2019 starting rotation on paper looked pretty good. Luis Severino had established himself as the Yanks #1 starter, and Brian Cashman traded to get Seattle ace James Paxton to be a co-ace. JA Happ, coming off a great finish to the 2018 regular season, slotted either 3 or 4, with Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia rounding it out. Domingo German was slated for the bullpen.
The Yankees starters have a combined 4.85 ERA, and their 5.06 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is the fourth worst in baseball. The Yankees have allowed nearly 2 home runs a game. Needless to say, the starting rotation has been terribly inconsistent.
We’ve seen flashes of excellence. James Paxton’s start against the Red Sox on April 16th, where he struck out 12 in 8 innings while allowing just two hits. J.A. Happ’s 7 shut out innings against teh San Francisco Giants on April 27th, Masahiro Tanaka’s June 17th complete game shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed just 2 hits and mowed down 10. July 12th, when Domingo German went 6 scoreless innings while striking out 7 Toronto Blue Jays. June 24th, even CC Sabathia got in on the dominance, striking out 9 Blue Jays in 6 innings while allowing just 2 runs in a Yankee win.
These guys are all capable starters, and Domingo German should be applauded for stepping into Severino’s slot and pitching so well.
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James Paxton has an 11.05 ERA in the first inning, a 1.23 ERA in the second, and a 2.96 ERA in all innings outside of the first. He needs an opener. This seems like a no-brainer. (Perhaps Dellin Betances or Luis Severino will serve this roll in the postseason.
Domingo German has a 2.24 ERA at Yankee Stadium and has only allowed 9HR in 56.1 innings pitched. He’s sporting a 5.82 ERA on the road, and allowed 18 HR in 65 IP. German must pitch home games in the postseason.
Masahiro Tanaka has a 4.56 ERA on the season. Take away the 2 disastrous starts against the Red Sox, and its a more respectable 3.54
Tanaka has a 2.49 ERA this season against Houston, Tampa, and Cleveland. He has a 1.50 ERA in the postseason in 5 starts.
J.A. Happ has a 5.58 ERA on the season and can’t seem to keep the ball in the park and at this point, seems unlikely to make the postseason roster.
CC has allowed 2.39 HRs/9 which is the worst of his career and the worst in MLB this season. CC will also not likely be on the postseason roster, unless it’s out of the pen.
Chad Green has excelled as an opener, and with Luis Severino expected back along with Dellin Betances, it’s more likely that the starters will go no more than 3–4 innings per start. You will see a heavy dose of the bullpen. After a tough July, Aroldis Chapman has a 0.00 ERA in August with 13Ks in 8 innings. The Yankees are 22–0 when Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Champan pitch in the same game.
This is what they have, and what they will have to do if they are going to win their 28th Championship.
