5 reasons the Yankees can come back and win ALDS
By Tre LyDay
4. Yankees bullpen is still elite
Talking about the Yankees bullpen can definitely sound extremely redundant, but everything is true. They are one of the best baseball has to offer. As it’s been said over and over again they have four guys in the top 10 in K/9 among all relievers.
When they are all on their game they can effectively shut down any offense and more times than not it’s going to come on the strikeout.
Outside of their absolute implosion in Game 2 (with help from Joe Girardi), they’ve probably pitched better than any of the other bullpens left in the postseason. Take out Chad Green’s mistake, and the Yankees bullpen has only given up a total of three runs and struck out 18 batters.
What were the actual chances that Chad Green would pick that one appearance to not punch out every batter he faced? Then throw the one pitch to the one spot that everyone knew would go a long way if he didn’t execute it?
The bullpen has already flexed their muscles once in the Wild Card game, albeit against the Twins, but they flexed them again in Game 3, completing the shutout with Chapman throwing absolute fireballs.
When they’re at their best the Yankees only need five innings from their starters because they can just keep coming at you with elite arms. They may end up with good fortune for their efforts on Monday because there is the possibility of a rainout. Which would give this bullpen an extra days rest, and have them at full strength, and ready for any scenario when they play Game 4.
They could also end up with good fortune for their efforts on Monday because there is the possibility of a rainout. Which would give this bullpen an extra day’s rest and have them at full strength, ready for any scenario when they play Game 4.