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New York Yankees make right move for Game 162

By David Hill

Sep 28, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is now or never for the New York Yankees. Their task is simple – win Game 162, and they are in the playoffs as one of the Wild Card teams. Lose, and their fate will be decided by what the other teams in the race do. While it may not be the most enviable position, at least the Yankees control their own fate.

By having their fate in their own hands, the Yankees are able to set up their pitching. Instead of being forced to start Gerrit Cole on just three days of rest, they are handing the ball to Jameson Taillon for the final scheduled game of the regular season.

New York Yankees making right move with Jameson Taillon

In theory, this is the type of game that Cole was signed for. If the Yankees needed a victory, be it in the postseason or not, Cole would be getting the ball. However, as he is on three days of rest, and may be needed if the Yankees have to go to a play-in game, the Yankees had to look elsewhere.

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Elsewhere, in this case, means Taillon. He has had an inconsistent season, posting a 4.40 ERA and a 1.213 WHiP over his 141 innings, striking out 138 batters with 43 walks. However, as he is coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, some inconsistencies were to be expected.

He has also been better over the second half of the season. Since the calendar flipped to July, Taillon has posted a 3.41 ERA and a 1.065 WHiP over his 71.1 innings, striking out 65 batters with 22 walks. That span also includes a miserable four start stretch where he allowed 17 runs on 18 hits and seven walks over 20.2 innings before landing on the Injured List.

Chances are, the Yankees will need to use their bullpen for most of the game. Taillon only lasted seven outs in his first appearances from the IL. Michael King, who fired 13 pitches on Saturday, is likely going to be needed once more. But as long as the end result is a victory, it does not matter how the Yankees get there.

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The New York Yankees are pinning their playoff hopes to Jameson Taillon. It is the right decision, especially with Gerrit Cole on short rest.

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