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The first half of the 2022 MLB season has come to a close as the All-Star break is upon us. The New York Yankees, who had a miraculous first half of baseball, need these few days of extra rest as much as any team. The Yankees own the best record in the league at 64-28 with a 13-game lead in their division. A huge reason for those accomplishments has been the great pitching of the entire starting rotation. As of late though, besides Gerrit Cole, the rotation looks like they could use a few days extra rest to reset for the second half of the season.
After a rocky start to the season, Gerrit Cole has turned it around and got back to being the ace we all know him to be. In the month of June, Cole started five games and posted a 2.73 ERA, with a 2-1 record, 39 strikeouts, 0.94 WHIP and opponent average of .187. In July so far, Cole has pitched in 4 games and posted a 3-0 record, 3.12 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP and opponent average of .176. Cole turned it around and earned himself an All-Star nod and he’s heating up at just the right time.
“Nasty” Nestor Cortes started the season looking like something straight out of a movie. In April and May he posted a 1.31 and 1.95 ERA with 61 strikeouts, in 9 starts. He almost had a no hitter and was pitching very deep into games. For a while he looked like he was going to start the All-Star game for the AL and was neck and neck with Shane McClanahan for the lead in the CY Young race. Since then, Cortes has cooled way off. But he still earned himself an All-Star selection. In his last 7 starts, Cortes is 2-2 with a whopping 4.54 ERA. The fan favorite seems like he could use the extra rest and hopefully get back to where he was.
Jameson Taillon is another Yankee starter who could use a little reset. He started off rocky but then got on a role and bounced back for a nice month of May. He went 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA in 5 starts. Despite still earning wins thanks to a high-octane Yankees offense, Taillon has been struggling. In June he posted a 4.59 ERA and in July so far, he has a wild 6.61 ERA. The Yankees need Taillon to find that groove again once the season resumes.
Jordan Montgomery is the definition of solid. He’s not going to go out there and strike everyone out Gerrit Cole style but, he will get the job done with minimal damage. In 18 games this season, Montgomery has a 3.26 ERA with 80 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP. In his last seven starts, he has a 3.61 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Those are solid stats and Montgomery will continue to remain that solid type pitcher he is, and with the Yankees giving him good run support it’s a good combination.
Luis Severino finally made it back this season after a few years-long bout with injuries. The former ace and fan favorite was doing well too. On the season he has 16 starts with a 3.45 ERA, 95 strikeouts, and 1.07 WHIP. Unfortunately, another injury popped up for Severino in his last outing. A low-grade right LAT strain will shut him down for two weeks. The Yankees have Domingo German on his way back from injury as well. These extra few days could give him just enough time to be implemented into the rotation after the break and replace Severino.
