New York Yankees: 3 Most important players to watch down the stretch

Who can pitch the Wild Card game?

The biggest issue with the Yankees at this point is not if they will make the playoffs. They will make the playoffs.

Rather, the issue is now is what pitcher they would start in the Wild Card Game.

If the cards are going to align a certain way, the Yankees would probably be better off playing the Oakland A’s in the Wild Card Game in the Bronx. However, that still means they need to find the most reliable starter.

It does not mean someone who will keep them afloat. They need someone to be lights out to win in the playoffs.

The Yankees have Luis Severino, the obvious choice, but it is going to take a lot more than one bounce back start to give him the ball for a one game playoff.

Another pitcher who could take the hill for the game is  C.C Sabathia. Although he is the oldest pitcher whose best days are well behind him, he is still clutch and is capable of one last playoff game where he lights it up.

But in the end, one of the most important players down the stretch for the Yankees is J.A. Happ.

Lance Lynn has done well in Pinstripes, but he has just not shown as much as Happ. If Happ can pitch well in most of his starts down the stretch and continue his dominance at Yankee Stadium, the playoff dilemma get a lot less complicated.

Of course, Severino going back to where he was before the All-Star game would be ideal, you cannot bank on stuff like that to just happen.

Right now, Happ is a guy who has ben great for the Yankees. That has value now and can down the stretch.

It is encouraging for the Yankees to have a guy like him. He is either the guy or an insurance type arm to use to help make the playoff set up more clear.

Him pitching well brings more value to the Yankees rotation right now than anyone else. Therefore, he is one of most valuable players for the Yankees down the stretch.