The Yankees’ rotation is becoming their new problem

The Yankees’ deficit to the Rays was exactly the same at the end of the weekend as it had been at the beginning of the series. While the two back-from-behind victories against the Rays were encouraging, Sunday’s 8-7 setback to the team highlighted the fact that it won’t be so simple to turn the season around unless their rotation warms up.

The Rays refused to give the Yankees a third straight chance to fight back after their bullpen blew two consecutive leads. Following back-to-back games where their bullpen failed to protect leads, the Rays prevented the Yankees from mounting a comeback for a third consecutive game. However, the root of the problem for the Yankees began with their rotation in the last three games.

Yankees rotation blues

The Yankees have reason to be concerned about their starting rotation following a weekend in which starters Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt both struggled. They fell 8-7 to the Rays in a Mother’s Day matinee on May 12, despite the fact that they had previously weathered a six-run outing by Cortes. Schmidt was charged with seven runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. 

Even though the rotation could get a boost when Luis Severino returns from a lat strain (which may happen as soon as Sunday), the fact that both Cortes and Schmidt have ERAs over 5.00 is less than ideal, especially considering Schmidt’s ERA ballooned to 6.30 following Sunday’s loss. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that they needed to extract more from the rotation collectively. Emphasizing that there was no doubt about it. He further stated that he believed Nestor would recover from the current setback, considering it to be a minor obstacle. Boone expressed confidence in Nestor’s ability to make the necessary adjustments and regain his form.

Boone further acknowledged that Clarke had a challenging outing, pointing out that the lineup posed a significant difficulty for him. He mentioned that Clarke conceded a couple of runs in the initial innings, but he personally believed that Clarke had performed well in terms of throwing the ball and had made minimal mistakes throughout the game.

The Rays didn’t start scoring until Schmidt’s third trip through the order when he walked Josh Lowe and allowed a sacrifice fly to load the bases in the fifth. Schmidt did not cause the grand slam that followed, which Taylor Walls hit off of Albert Abreu, but he did put the Yankees in a tough place on a day when their bullpen was already overworked.

Schmidt was still bothered by the ball four calls to Lowe, upon which pitching coach Matt Blake was ejected. 

Schmidt expressed that he felt he had been executing good pitches. And he acknowledged the possibility of some favorable outcome occurring towards the end. He mentioned the importance of consistently making pitches and maintaining a competitive mindset. Schmidt stated that they believed they were on the verge of escaping the situation. But he recognized that concluding the game on that particular note was challenging.

Overall, Schmidt seemed upbeat when asked about his season. He mentioned that in terms of results, there was room for improvement. However, he emphasized the importance of consistently enhancing performance, delivering commendable outings, and demonstrating quality. He stated that the focus should be on refining necessary aspects and putting in the necessary work. Overall, he believed that they were not far from reaching their desired level.

The fortunate Friday

The Yankees won big on Friday night and then rallied from six runs down to beat the Rays 9-8 on Saturday afternoon despite starting pitcher Shane McClanahan’s stellar performance. Even though they were held scoreless for four innings by the fantastic McClanahan, they still managed to put together a string of excellent at-bats that eventually contributed to the starter’s demise. McClanahan entered the game 7-0 with a 1.76 ERA. 

Before Saturday, when he failed to get out of the fifth inning and allowed four runs, McClanahan had not allowed more than two runs in each of his first two starts. 

The Yankees’ 6-0 deficit was difficult to overlook, even in the midst of a thrilling victory. Because starter Nestor Cortes, who gave up six earned runs in four and third innings, is too crucial to the rest of the season for him to keep having starts like this one, where he goes from dominating to getting pounded around the fifth inning and especially the third time through a lineup. 

Pitching coach Matt Blake said that he had to get it right and added that he believed the player knew the expectations for him. He mentioned that the player’s performances in the last couple of years arguably made him the most consistent starter in the majors. Therefore, he stated that nothing that had happened had changed their belief in that.

Cortes must be a co-stalwart with Cole in the rotation until the likes of Luis Severino (who needs at least one more minor league rehab start), Carlos Rodon (optimistically at least six weeks away), and Frankie Montas (who has not yet begun a throwing program) return. 

The three good outings to start the season (2.60 ERA) were followed by five in which he allowed 21 runs in 25 innings. And those beginnings have been nearly identical to one another: promising starts followed by a collapse in leadership, resources, and stamina. 

By the third time through the lineup, he was virtually just batting practice, having lost most of his earlier effectiveness. The third-inning batting line against Cortes reads: 15-for-33 (.455) with four doubles and an MLB-high six home runs (1.607 OPS). 

Cortes mentioned that it could be a combination of factors. He acknowledged the possibility of the third time through the lineup affecting his performance and the likelihood of running out of energy. Cortes admitted that his command had not been great and emphasized the need to command better.

Despite continuing difficulties with their rotation, the Yankees have shown remarkable resiliency in their most recent two games. After six games, the Yankees and Rays are tied. One-run victories have occurred five times. Despite their commanding division lead, the Rays are only 9-7 versus the AL East’s top teams. However, they are 21-4 against weaker opponents, most of whom remain on the Yankees’ schedule. 

Eventually, it was a triumph of skill and nerve over an opponent who possessed similar qualities. The Yankees continued their momentum by winning again. But they can’t win games with Cortes and Schmidt as four-inning starts and expect to advance.

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