Yankees: Getting James Paxton back is a game changer

If the Yankees are going to win the AL East this season and make a run at a championship they’re going to need hames Paxton to do so. On Wednesday Paxton made his return from the IL and picked up right where he left off pitching four dominant innings in the Yanks 7-0 win over the Padres.

Paxton had been out since May 4th with left knee inflammation so his pitch limit heading into Wednesday start was only 70-75 pitches but he definitely made the most of them throwing 66 over four shutout frames. He was locked in all day and gave the Yankees exactly what they needed to help them win the rubber game of a three-game set.

Prior to going on the IL Paxton had emerged as the ace of the Yankees starting rotation and as long as he can stay healthy he’ll continue to be their top guy moving forward. His stuff was outstanding as usual as he struck out seven and walked two without allowing a single hit. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was very pleased with how the Big Maple looked following the game.

Per the YES Network:

“It was really good seeing him back out there just pitching so well,” Boone said. “[He] picked up right where he left off. Had good command and feel with the fastball. The slider-cutter was a really good pitch for him today and he was mostly real efficient.”

After his latest great outing at home Paxton now has an ERA of 0.34 in five starts at the Stadium this year. That’s a great sign because at the rate the Yankees are winning games they should be able to secure home field for the playoffs. We still have a long way to go to get there but as of today, I can’t think of anyone better start Game 1 in a playoff series than Paxton.

Domingo German has been the Yankees best pitcher up to this point in the absence of Paxton and Luis Severino but he really struggled his last time out which has people concerned that this is the start of a mini-regression. His start Friday night against Boston is a big one but even if he continues to struggle the Yankees rotation should be ok now that Paxton is back as well as CC Sabathia who’s expected to return on Sunday.

There’s also a good chance that German is going to have his innings limited in the second half and will be moved to the bullpen to pitch in long relief. As for Sevy, he’s still expected to be out until after the All-Star break so Paxton’s return couldn’t come at a better time.

As we’ve seen over his first eight starts as a Yankee he’s got elite stuff and when he’s on his game he can shut down any lineup in baseball. Health is obviously the key for him as it has been throughout his career because that’s the only thing that could stop him from being considered as one of the top starters in the game.

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Getting him back in the fold should be an absolute game-changer for a Yankee team that’s now 36-19 atop the AL East. Even without him and countless other key contributors over the last month, they’ve still been one of the hottest teams in baseball winning 19 of 25 and eight straight series.

Paxton’s return on Wednesday was huge and makes you dream about what this team can do from here on out because they still have so many other impact players who are nearing their returns from the IL as well.

Even with all the injuries this Yankee team has thrived and announced themselves as one of the true powerhouses in the game. The scary thing for the rest of the league is they’re only going to get better in the coming weeks with Paxton among many others leading the way.