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Five Reasons Why The New York Yankees Can Win The World Series

By Jason Evans

Jul 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) and left fielder Brett Gardner (11) talk between innings against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) and left fielder Brett Gardner (11) talk between innings against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Pitching

I know I mentioned that the Yankees starting rotation is filled with question marks, however they actually may have enough to get them through a playoff run. Just hear me out on this.

Michael Pineda won’t be pitching this month as he deals with a right forearm strain. Pineda struggled through June and July with a 3-5 record. He just hasn’t been the same since his 16 strikeout game earlier this season. However, maybe a month off will rejuvenate him. Maybe the rest will help with his slider and he can be the pitcher he was earlier this season.

Masahiro Tanaka has already been on the DL himself, missing all of May. Tanaka is very up and down, but when his splitter is working, it can be nasty and he can get people out. The thing is, he hasn’t been as dominant as he was last season before he got injured.

Nathan Eovaldi has improved all throughout the season. July was his best month so far, going 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA. His splitter continues to improve. He’s going to give up his share of hits (142 in 117 innings so far, but he has a way of keeping the Yankees in the game, even if he doesn’t pitch well into the game.

Ivan Nova is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, so he’s going to be a bit up and down because that’s how guys are as they recover. Just look at Matt Harvey earlier in the season. Nova in his last start gave the Yankees 1-run ball over six innings with seven strikeouts. He’s given up two or fewer runs in his last three starts. If he can approximate that, the Yankees are going to be in good shape.

Luis Severino and Bryan Mitchell will see their fair share of starts as well in the rotation. Mitchell’s last start wasn’t good. Severino’s debut was pretty good. Both prospects were kept out of deals so the Yankees may as well use them.

Next: Mindset

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