Pitching A Reason To Be Optimistic For Stretch Run

As his career winds down, it seems safe to assume that Derek Jeter craves an extra month in pinstripes. He wants a chance at a sixth World Series ring to cap off his illustrious career.

The Yankees currently sit nine and a half games behind the division-leading Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and four and a half games behind the Mariners for the second Wild Card spot. Winning the division is a fantasy that is unreachable and the Wild Card will be a challenge, but far from impossible.

It has been a truly disappointing season as injuries and offensive woes have been the stories that don’t seem to want to end. They are sixth in the American League in batting average, eighth in home runs, and a gruesome thirteenth (second to last) in runs scored. However, the pitching has given us reasons to hope:

Rotation

This isn’t the prettiest Yankees’ rotation, but they’ve been getting the job done.

With Masahiro Tanaka on the shelf, Hiroki Kuroda has assumed the role of staff ace. He’s thrown six quality starts in his last seven outings, and has given up two runs or less in each of his last four of them.

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Before the All-Star break, his ERA stood at 4.10 and it was beginning to look like his days as a model of consistency were over. Since then, he’s proven his first half struggles to be a fluke. His ERA now sits at a respectable 3.78.

Brandon McCarthy has been a godsend since joining the Yankees in July. As a member of the Diamondbacks to start the season, he had a league worst 5.01 ERA with his opponents batting .298 against him. New York seems to be a better fit, as his ERA has dropped to 4.19 (2.79 since the trade).

Since returning from the disabled list, Michael Pineda hasn’t missed a beat. In five starts, he has given up no more than two runs and has pitched no less than five innings.

Shane Greene isn’t a top of the rotation starter, but he can get the job done. He’s put together a steady stream of five or six inning outings of three runs or less, which is what the Yankees need from a fourth starter.

Back Of The Bullpen

Two giant reasons for the Yankees contending at all, are relievers Dellin Betances and David Robertson.

Betances has been one of the game’s best relievers this season, posting a 1.41 ERA, a .145 batting average against, and a K/9 rate of 13.55. If Robertson is to sign elsewhere at season’s end, Betances would be a great replacement.

Robertson has been solid since taking over the closer’s role. He’s saved 35 games in 38 chances and has posted a 2.82 ERA and a .179 batting average against.

Considering the scrutiny he was under as Mariano Rivera‘s heir, Robertson has been phenomenal.