How Should the Yankees Pitching Rotation Stack Up Heading into the Playoffs?
In recent weeks, the New York Yankees have had problems being on the same page. When the offense is scoring multiple runs, the pitching staff finds a way to be the reason the team loses games. However, when the offense cannot find a way to score runs, the pitching is impeccable. Heading into the final month of the season, questions are arising about how the Yankees will structure their rotation once they reach the playoffs, and which pitchers should be moved to the bullpen. In the playoff rotation, teams typically choose their four best pitchers and move the fifth starter to the bullpen.
Since the All-Star break, Max Fried has been a shell of the pitcher he was before, leaving many to question if it’s time to worry about his production. His most recent start against the Washington Nationals was certainly a step in the right direction, but it’s questionable if he can keep that up in the rough stretch that the Yankees have coming up against some of the best teams in the American League. In addition, Carlos Rodón has made immense improvements this season after a rough start to his Yankee career. At the back end of the rotation, there are quite a few question marks as to who the Yankees will choose to fill the last two spots heading into the playoffs.
While not on the radar of most Yankees fans, Cam Schlittler should be considered to fill one of those spots. Although he has spent the least amount of time on the team, Schlittler has improved and shone since his early-season woes. In his last two appearances, Schlittler hasn’t allowed a run, and he has eight strikeouts in each appearance. Throughout his last few starts, Will Warren has been very up-and-down, and there is certainly a question of whether he can be productive if the Yankees were to put him in the postseason rotation. If Schlittler continues to have the same success he has seen against teams like the Nationals and Minnesota Twins, there is no reason that the Yankees shouldn’t take a chance on him this postseason.
