New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays: April 2nd-April 5th Series Recap

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Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Adam Warren (43) looks on at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen Shuts Out Rays

The Yankees starting rotation, overall, did not pitch well against the Rays. Tanaka and Pineda were hit hard while Sabathia labored through five innings. It put a lot of pressure on the Yankees bullpen and they responded in a big way.

While Tanaka and Pineda surrendered 11 earned runs in 6.1 innings pitcher, the bullpen shut out the Rays. The Yankees bullpen was tasked with pitching 13.2 innings and didn’t give up a single run.

Adam Warren was excellent in his two outings. He pitched 4.2 innings, not allowing a base runner to go along with six strikeouts. He will be an important piece for the Yankees as he can fill a number of roles on their staff.

Strikeouts are something we should get used to seeing with the Yankees bullpen. They combined to strike out 17 Rays. Aroldis Chapman showcased his devastating slider and Dellin Betances worked out of a jam in relief of Sabathia.

The Yankees bullpen looks like it will be a weapon this season. If the starters can make it through six innings they can turn the ball over to the trio of Tyler Clippard, Betances, and Chapman.

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Not many teams have a trio that strong at the back end of a bullpen and it should help take pressure off starters as they know they do not have to be perfect; just make it through those six innings and anything else after is an added bonus.

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