There hasn’t been a lot to worry about on 161st Street within the Bronx this summer season. The Yankees have already run away with the division lead whereas using the possible MVP and one of many league’s finest pitching staffs.
Still, none of that can matter if the membership falls wanting its singular purpose: the primary World Series championship since 2009. Before they will fear about that, although, the Yankees have a number of questions to handle.
5. IS THE SEVERINO INJURY SERIOUS?
A pressure in his proper lat muscle knocked Severino out of the Yankees’ rotation simply earlier than the All-Star break. On Saturday, supervisor Aaron Boone stated that Severino won’t throw a baseball for a minimum of two weeks, which means he’ll miss a number of begins after the break as effectively.
While the Yankees’ 13-game lead within the American League East supplies a number of common season leeway, Severino is massively essential to their grander aspirations. Heading right into a playoff sequence with a decided Gerrit Cole, a rejuvenated Severino and the at all times even-keeled Jordan Montgomery ought to present some confidence.
Nestor Cortes Jr. and Jameson Taillon are each excellent at occasions — and for Cortes, the first-time All-Star, these good occasions have far outweighed the unhealthy this 12 months — however fatigue is a fear for him whereas Taillon struggled down the stretch final season in his first pennant race.
As such, the Yankees both must guarantee that Severino could be a full go within the video games that really matter, or improve the rotation as a precaution. Severino has an up-and-down postseason historical past however completely possesses the stuff and perspective to deal with the intense lights. If he’s totally wholesome by autumn, the Yankees are in good arms. If not, they’ve a doubtlessly exploitable gap.
4. WHICH RELIEVERS CAN YOU TRUST IN OCTOBER?
On the Yankees’ energetic roster (which means injured veterans Zack Britton and Chad Green don’t depend), Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Loaisiga are the one relievers with greater than two innings of postseason expertise. Unfortunately for the Yankees, each Chapman and Loaisiga have fallen down the bullpen totem pole because of harm and poor efficiency.
Clay Holmes and Michael King have tasted little morsels of massive video games. But Holmes’ was simply two innings within the Wild Card sport final fall whereas King’s was additionally two innings, coming in an empty stadium in 2020. Wandy Peralta and Lucas Luetge have confirmed to be very reliable, and have each been in Major League Baseball for a very long time, however neither has ever stepped foot on the mound in a postseason sport.
Boone has expressed optimism that Britton, who had some excellent playoff sequence for the Yankees in 2019 and 2020, may very well be again in some unspecified time in the future. But that’s a giant gamble to place in a 34-year-old, surgically repaired arm who’s thrown simply 18.1 MLB innings because the pandemic season. Ron Marinaccio has some juice, however he’s additionally a rookie. Nobody appears fairly positive what to make of Miguel Castro, who’s liable to stroll the bases loaded earlier than getting three straight strikeouts. Both Marinaccio and Castro are on the injured record proper now too, however may very well be within the working for a postseason roster spot assuming they get better correctly.
Throw in Domingo German and doubtlessly some new faces on the commerce deadline, and the Yankees could have a number of choices for his or her playoff bullpen, it’s only a matter of determining who can really get individuals out.
3. WHAT HAPPENS WITH JOEY GALLO?
Joey Gallo shouldn’t be going to be getting any postseason at-bats. The Yankees will probably be high quality sacrificing some outfield protection within the playoffs for dudes who’re really hitting the ball.
Gallo’s protection may make him a pleasant late-game substitute if, say, Giancarlo Stanton, Matt Carpenter, or each are taking part in the outfield in a good sport. But protection alone in all probability doesn’t justify a spot on the playoff roster, and positively gained’t earn Gallo a spot anyplace close to the beginning lineup.
The query right here is that if one thing might be found out earlier than the embarrassment of leaving Gallo at house in October turns into a actuality. The most suitable choice might be to bundle him in a deadline take care of different, extra desired gamers, telling the commerce accomplice that they will have who they need if additionally they comply with tackle Gallo’s sub-.170 common.
It’s been a flatly horrendous stretch for Gallo, who’s approaching his one-year anniversary in pinstripes. If the Yankees win the entire thing, he’ll get a hoop both method, however heading to a smaller market the place followers are much less boo-happy may in the end make him happier than driving the bench to the World Series.
2. WILL JUDGE BREAK MARIS’ HOME RUN RECORD?
Judge already tied Maris’ franchise document for house runs earlier than the All-Star Game. While he’ll repeat again and again that the one factor he cares about is profitable, Judge absolutely has a few of his sights set on the single-season document too.
In order to achieve 62 homers and wrestle the document away from Maris’ 1961 season, Judge will want 29 bombs within the workforce’s remaining 70 video games. Assuming they’ve the AL’s high seed all locked up — which gained’t be simple as Houston retains respiration down their neck — would the Yankees relaxation Judge in September or let him pursue historical past?
1. CAN THE YANKS GET OVER THE ASTRO-SIZED HUMP?
Let’s be sincere. It would take a large upset — or a colossal failure, maybe injury-related — for the Yankees and Astros to not meet within the American League Championship Series.
The final two occasions they confronted off within the ALCS, the Astros acquired the higher hand. Will the third time be a attraction for the Yankees?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com