The Yankees offense has been their Achilles heel for most of the season. However, even amid a mini resurgence with the bats, the team’s starting pitchers have taken enough stutter steps to keep the Bronx Bombers limping down the stretch .
2013 Monthly ERA: Yankees vs. American League
Note: AL average includes Yankees’ figures.
Source: fangraphs.com
The Yankees’ rotation ranks in the middle of the pack with a median ERA of 4.07 that is one-tenth of a run below the American League average. However, in two of the last three months, the team’s starters have posted an ERA closer to the bottom. This month, the Yankees’ starting five have allowed over 4 ½ runs per game, which has resulted in a negative run differential during that span and prevented the team from taking advantage of the lineup’s increased run production.
Monthly ERAs for Yankees’ Starters
Note: Minimum of 10 innings per month.
Source: fangraphs.com
The Yankees only reliable starter in August has been Ivan Nova. Even Hiroki Kuroda, whose miniscule ERA of 0.55 in July nearly set a franchise record for a calendar month, has stumbled coming down the stretch. However, the real culprits have been CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes, whose season long struggles have continued into the dog days.
Too Close for Comfort: CC Sabathia vs. Phil Hughes in 2013
Note: FBv is in MPH; wFB/C is the amount of runs allowed with the fastball per 100 thrown (a positive number would represent runs saved).
Source: Baseball-reference.com and fangraphs.com
Before the season started, the Yankees would have been thrilled to learn that Hughes would be performing at the same level as Sabathia. However, instead of Hughes pitching up to Sabathia’s standard, both starters are on pace for historical ignominy. With an ERA+ of 82 and 84, respectively, Hughes and Sabathia currently rank among the franchise’s 25 worst starting pitchers in that category (based on qualified seasons). What’s more, the two starters haven’t merely had a few rough patches. Rather, each hurler’s struggles have been persistent, leaving little reason for optimism over the final 30 games.
Worst ERA+ by a Yankees’ Starter, 1901 to Present
Note: Includes qualified seasons only.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
The Yankees’ anemic offense may have built the team’s coffin, but it could be the starting rotation that ends up nailing it shut. With only 30 games remaining, the Yankees’ margin for error is slim, so, unless all five starters have a September to remember, the 2013 season will be one to forget, provided, of course, the same struggles do not rear their head again next season. In that sense, the September performance of Sabathia, Pettitte, and Nova could say more about the Yankees’ chances in 2014 than this year, or, at the very least, alter the team’s priorities in the off season.
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