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AL Wild Card 2017: 5 reasons Yankees will win

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees follow through on a fourth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees follow through on a fourth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 04: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Yankees won 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 04: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Yankees won 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Dominant bullpen

There is a very real argument to be made that the Yankees could win the Wild Card Game simply by dividing up all 27 outs among their dominant bullpen. They won’t do it because it’s a bit too bold a move for the present time. However, it would not come as a surprise in the slightest if the concept of a starting rotation and bullpen is replaced in the next 20 years by a staff of 12 flame-throwing starter-reliever hybrids.

Even with closer Aroldis Chapman having a less-than-stellar year in 2017, the Yankees have one of the best bullpens ever assembled on an MLB roster. Their ‘pen boasts six different pitchers who have struck out more than 11 per nine, including Dellin Betances who struck out 15.1 per nine.

Betances has mostly put the command issues that plagued him for much of the season in the past. His 5.21 BB/9 in the second half is still not great, but was much better than the 26 walks in 28.1 innings Betances issued in the first half. Betances is still so good that he can get by even walking close to a batter an inning.

Getting David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle from the Chicago White Sox was a brilliant move by Yanks GM Brian Cashman. The revamped bullpen had a 3.01 ERA in the second half while striking out 11.6 per nine. If the Yankees can get to the fifth inning with a lead, the Wild Card Game will be all but over.

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