Do the New York Yankees have enough arms to compete with other elite starting rotations?
Even with Greg Bird out to begin the season, the New York Yankees starting lineup still rivals anyone in all of MLB.
- Brett Gardner, LF:
- Aaron Judge, RF:
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH:
- Gary Sanchez, C:
- Didi Gregorius, SS:
- Aaron Hicks, CF:
- Brandon Drury, 3B:
- Tyler Austin, 1B:
- Neil Walker, 2B:
The Yankees projected starting rotation:
- Luis Severino — RHP 2017 statistics: 14-6 record. 2.98 ERA. 1.04 WHIP
- Masahiro Tanaka — RHP 2017 statistics: 13-12 record. 4.74 ERA. 1.24 WHIP: The Yankees are hoping for the October version and not the inconsistency they saw for most of the 2017 campaign from Tanaka.
- CC Sabathia — LHP: 2017 statistics: 14-5 record. 3.69 ERA. 1.27 WHIPIf Sabathia’s able to keep his ailing right knee in check, he’ll be a solid No. 3 starter.
- Sonny Gray –RHP 2017 statistics: 10-12 record. 3.55 ERA. 1.21 WHIP The curious case of Sonny Gray provides more questions than answers, but he’s got the potential to have a solid campaign.
- Jordan Montgomery — LHP 2017 statistics: 9-7 record. 3.88 ERA. 1.23 WHIP. A more than a formidable fifth-day option.
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One word describes the Yankees pitching staff perfect. Potential. However; there’s also probability it may be an average pitching staff at best.
The Yankees’ bullpen is fully-loaded with power arms, who saw their struggles in 2017 — with Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances showing flashes of greatness and also mediocrity. However, with those two power arms to go with David Robertson out of the pen, the Yankees may have a historical bullpen in 2018.
It’s the Yankees starting pitching which should worry the New York faithful the most. They have way too many question marks, needing every single possibility to go right for their pitching staff to hang with the elite MLB teams.
The lack of consistent starting pitching would wear out their bullpen, who could have tired arms by the time postseason play rolls around.
Next: MLB Opening Day: Top lineup for each team
With all of these factors adding up, are they enough to prevent the New York Yankees from winning it all in 2018? Unfortunately, yes. Not only will the Yankees not win a World Series, but they won’t even win the AL East; with the Boston Red Sox primed for a third-straight crown.