Three Questions for New York Yankees Pitching Staff

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The New York Yankees are about to enter the second half of the season in first place in the AL East, but still many questions that need to be answered. The Yankees biggest question marks are with the entire pitching staff. The Yankees can have a great rotation, but can CC Sabathia show signs of life? Will the Yankees pitching staff healthy and be the backbone of the team? Can the pitchers who have been great in the first half, be great in the second half?

With a three and half game lead going into the second half the Yankees has a small margin for error. With the toughest division in baseball beating each other up, it is very important to have a deep pitching staff. The Yankees have the potential to be the best staff in the American League East. If the Yankees are able to answer these four questions in a positive way, they will run away with the division, and potentially have home field advantage throughout the playoffs

Can They Stay Healthy?

The health of the entire staff is important, but these two pitchers in particular I will highlight; Masahiro Tanaka, Ivan Nova, and Andrew Miller. We all know the Tanaka elbow injury, and always on high alert when he takes the mound. That elbow will be an injury concern for Yankee fans all year. If Tanaka is healthy and pitches the way he can there should be no problem.

Ivan Nova is coming off Tommy John Surgery. He has looked decent so far this year. The Yankees need him to continue to be a better pitcher. After Tommy John surgery pitchers will have ups and downs, and just need to adjust coming from surgery. The Yankees may have put an innings limit on Nova, so that bears monitoring down the stretch.

Andrew Miller may be the key piece to the entire Yankee pitching staff. Miller just came off the DL, and has looked shaky in his return. He has yet to blow a save, but his last few saves has taken the Yankees on a crazy journey to get the win. When Miller is on, the Yankees become a stronger team then any team in the AL East.

Can They Improve?

The Yankees have two pitchers that need to better; CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi. Sabathia has been one of the worst starters in the American League. If CC Sabathia can improve, and be a decent pitcher the New York Yankees becomes a much stronger starting rotation. The Yankees want to improve their starting rotation, but do not want to give up the prospects to get a pitcher. The Yankees best option would be for Sabathia to improve, and the Yankees keep their prospects, but who knows what Sabathia will give the Yankees in the second half.

The other starting pitcher the Yankees need to be better is Nathan Eovaldi. He has the best stuff on the staff, and able to throw 100 mph. The problem is Nathan Eovaldi is a thrower and not a pitcher yet. He does not know how to locate his fastball. Eovaldi and the Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild have worked tirelessly to make Eovaldi the best pitcher he can become. If Larry Rothschild can make Eovaldi a better pitcher in the second half, it would make the rotation better, and help the Yankees keep their stud prospects like Aaron Judge.

Can They Keep It Going?

These three Yankees are having their best years, and the Yankees need them to continue their great success. Chasen Shreve was the throw in player in a trade with the Braves this year. It has turned out the Shreve has been the best piece of the trade. While Miller was injured, Shreve stepped up and has established himself in the bullpen. Shreve has established himself as relief pitcher that can get both left-handers and right-handers. The Yankees will rely more on Shreve as the season goes on, and we will see if Shreve continues his career year.

Adam Warren has been one of the most consistent pitchers for the Yankees all year. Warren was sent to the bullpen after being one of the most consistent starters due to his innings limit. Warren has already pitched more this year then he has in his entire career. Adam Warren continues to be as reliable as they come, but will see what happens when Warren hits his innings limit, or his arm fatigues down the stretch.

Justin Wilson was traded over by the Pirates this winter. Wilson stepped up like Shreve when Andrew Miller was put on the DL earlier this year. Wilson can get both left-handed and right-handed bats out, and helps give the bullpen depth. Wilson is having his career year, and hopefully it continues in the second half of the season.

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