New York Yankees: 5 best players in the first half of 2015
By Nick Ziegler
Jul 10, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
One of the weaknesses for the Yankees in the first half of the season has been their starting rotation. Masahiro Tanaka missed a good chunk of the beginning of the season with a forearm injury, which left the Yankees without their ace for a while.
In Tanaka’s absence, Michael Pineda really rose to the occasion as the Yankees’ best starting pitcher. In 2015, Pineda is 9-5 with a 3.64 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 106.1 innings. Aside from Pineda, the Yankees also have had a good season from Adam Warren in the rotation, but the return of Ivan Nova has moved him into the bullpen.
CC Sabathia has had a dreadful season, which makes Pineda being healthy and producing huge for the Yankees. If it wasn’t for Pineda in the rotation, the Yankees’ bullpen would have been worked even more than it was in the first half. Anytime Pineda is on the mound for the Yankees, they feel like they have a great chance to win.
Next: Dellin Betances