Saved by the 'Pen, Can the Yankees Strongest Asset Push Them to the Series, or Will They Fall Short Again

The Yankee's bullpen this season has been undoubtedly the best in the league. Their set-up guys could be closers on most teams. Their middle relievers could be set-up guys. At the deadline, they traded for Luke Voit with a reliever who on most teams would be a very valuable asset who could provide important innings, however on the Yankees he just dead weight. Once teams get the starters out, they basically have no chance of adding runs, All five of their top relievers are playing at an all-star question. Everything they have done has led to the top bullpen in baseball, but will it be enough to overcome an inconsistent starting staff and a lineup full of major contributors on the disabled list.

The Yankees are full of problems right now. Their starters are always coming up short, and while J.A. Happ has become nearly unbeatable and Luis Severino has had an impressive breakout season. The rest of the rotation has been a revolving door of pitchers though, as none can either stay healthy or consistently enough to actually keep their spot. These problems are nothing compared to their lineup right now. Star catcher Gary Sanchez, who was having a rough year to begin with, has been out for the last few months. All-star shortstop Didi Gregorious has been out for a few weeks and still doesn't have a timetable for his return. And, of course, their face of their franchise Aaron Judge still doesn't seem close to coming back from his fractured wrist. All of these are going to make it very difficult for them to stop the firepowers that they'll face in the Indians, Astros, and division rival Red Sox. Even the A's are close to them at this point. It will be very difficult for them to live up to their World Series expectations.

There is one way that they can, however. Their bullpen is unstoppable. They have maybe the top closer in baseball in Aroldis Chapman, who, although is currently on the 10-day DL, has a 16.1 K/9 and an ERA under 2.00. Dellin Betances is also currently striking out 16 per nine, although he has less control than Chapman. Chad Green has been an amazing setup man, as he has an ERA and FIP below three and is striking out 10 per nine. David Robertson, who was so good that he was recently a deserving closer with the White Sox, has been very similar to Green, with an ERA just below three and a strike out rate of 11 and a half. Finally, Johnathon Holder has lived up to his name, as his ERA, although is the highest of the five, has an ERA just over 3 and a FIP thats lower. In all, they have packed five star relievers onto one team, making late innings terrifying for the rest of the AL.

Bullpens are frequently what puts teams over the top. The 2015 Royal's were built entirely through their Herrera/Davis/Holland bullpen, and the Indians would never have made it to the Series in 2016 without Andrew Miller or Cody Allen. No team is going to win through the 'pen alone, but it can be a huge difference maker. The Yankees, although hurt, still have more than enough talent around their bullpen to make a similar run, but everything is going to need to come together first. With all of the talent that they have to compete with, there is not a lot of room for error. Everything is going to have to come together perfectly for them to get to 29 titles, but they are certainly never going to be pushovers either.