The 2019 postseason is right around the corner and the New York Yankees are American League East Champions for the first time since 2012.
The New York Yankees have one week of baseball left before they get ready for the ALDS. Throughout the season, nobody would have expected this team to have the year they had with over 40 injuries. They proved everybody wrong and the “Next Man Up” motto has really been in there favor.
As they head into the postseason, the number one question is how will they go about with the rotation. Every year it’s one of the main issues the Yankees deal with throughout the year. Either the starters are hurt or they do not live up to the hype. Before the trade deadline, the Yankees rotation struggled but they did not make a move for a starter. When August came around, that’s when the starters started to pick up on things.
For the postseason, the Yankees either will have 12 pitchers or 13 pitchers for the 25 man roster. Everything will be released as Game 1 of the ALDS begins next Friday, October 4th at Yankee Stadium. In my opinion, here’s the three-man rotation I would go with:
Game 1: James Paxton
For the first half of the season, Paxton had been very inconsistent and was really struggling to get out of the first inning. During the second half of play, Paxton has been on a tear. In his last ten starts, Paxton is 10-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Paxton finally showing the Yankees fans the reason the front office traded for him back in December. This is a big push the rotation has needed and no better man to get his first postseason career start than the Big Maple.
James Paxton is the 6th pitcher in Yankees history to win at least 10 consecutive starts. Who is the only Yankees pitcher to do it twice? @att #ATTNYY
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 23, 2019
Game 2: Masahiro Tanaka
This season Masahiro Tanaka has a lot of up and downs this season. This season Masahiro is 11-8 with a 4.47 ERA. Between Tanaka and Severino, one reason Tanaka is a good fit for Game 2 is because when pitching at Yankee Stadium, he is electric. Nonetheless, when the rotation is all set in stone next week, wherever Tanaka is put in the rotation he will be dominant. His career postseason statistics are 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA.
Game 3: Luis Severino
Last but not least, Severino should be the Game 3 pitcher. Severino who has missed a majority of the season due to injury has made his presence known. In his two starts, Sevy is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Severino coming back into the rotation late in the season is the best thing to happen to the Yankees. Though Sevy has struggled in big postseason game moments in the past, personally I would feel more comfortable having him pitch Game 3.
All we can do now is wait for the rosters to be set for the postseason. A lot of pressure will be on the team’s shoulders as they look to capture championship number 28. They have beaten the odds and have been rolling since Day 1. Until next Friday, all we can do is be patient and enjoy the ride.