New York Yankees: 5 Takeaways from Tampa Bay Rays series
By Nick Ziegler
Sep 5, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (30) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
– Eovaldi beginning to struggle?
One of the biggest surprises of the season for the Yankees has been how well Eovaldi has been pitching this season. Eovaldi has one of the best records in all of baseball at 14-3, but things started out poorly for him this season.
After being smoked by the Miami Marlins, Eovaldi began to throw a split-finger fastball and he has been a different pitcher since.
Eovaldi has been benefitted by having a ton of run support this season, but in his last two starts there has been some cause for concern. In the Yankees’ 20-6 win, Eovaldi didn’t pitch very well against a poor Atlanta Braves lineup. In his 14th win of the season against the Braves, Eovaldi allowed five runs in five innings, as the run support was the only reason for the win.
Against the Rays, the run support wasn’t there for Eovaldi and it led to his third loss of the season. Eovaldi once again didn’t go very deep in the game, as he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs.
It is just two poor starts in a row, but the Yankees are counting on Eovaldi to be an important piece to the puzzle in the final month of the season.
Next: Getting to an ace