Paxton-Tanaka-Sevy: The Yankees Have Their ALDS Rotation

Alright let’s fucking cook boys and girls. The ALDS starts tomorrow and the Yankees have their rotation. Paxton. Tanaka. Severino.

James Paxton was always going to be your Game 1 guy. He’s been your horse over the last two months. The Yankees won every one of his last 11 starts to end the year where he posted a 2.51 ERA, holding opponents to a .177 batting average. In his final start in Texas he did develop a little tightness in his ass but that appears to be gone. He’s ready to rip on Friday night. No question he was my Game 1 starter.

Now for Game 2 things became a lot more confusing. Who do you go with? Two guys who thrive at home. They decided to go with Tanaka. The man has a career 1.50 ERA in 5 postseason starts. He’s your big game pitcher. His splits at home and on the road are drastic (3.10/6.05). Now if you take out his London start and his Fenway disaster then that road ERA dips to the 4s. Regardless, he’s a much better pitcher at Yankee Stadium. I have no issues with Masa going on Saturday. If Paxton falters in Game 1, you want Tanaka with the ball in Game 2. You trust him at home in a big start to show up.

For Game 3 that leaves you with Luis Severino. Here’s where going Tanaka in Game 2 could hurt you. There’s an off day in between Games 2 and 3. Let’s say Severino doesn’t pitch well for whatever reason in Game 3 and doesn’t go deep. That forces your bullpen to pick him up and then have to show up the next day in Game 4 for a potential bullpen game. That presents a big problem if it comes to that.

I say we just sweep Minnesota and go from there. Seems like a good plan to me. After all the hoopla about a shitty starting rotation, I’m feeling pretty good about Paxton, Masa, and Sevy. Three months ago, maybe not so much.

Get me to Friday. Bronx Draft House. 3:30 PM. Me. Tommy. Willie. John Jastremski. Let’s GO!!!