There are five games. These are five games in which Gerrit Cole has started twice. These are five games, the last two against the Orioles, whose only reason for existence could be to increase the confidence and record of the Yankees.
But, have you noticed that the Yankees ’launch has been brilliant through five games?
The Yankees pitchers would have an unscored streak of 25 innings as you read that phrase if they had a short. But they have Gleyber Torres, who defensively leads the majors in indifference. He indifferently turned what should have been the end of the game, a routine base, into a “single” by Ryan Mountcastle. Rio Ruiz followed with a two-run homer against Lucas Luetge and instead of beating the Orioles 7-0 for a second straight game, the Yankees won 7-2.
Still, even with both races endowed, the Yankees ’ERA in five games is 1.76. The average beat against is .190. Almost every pitcher, except Domingo German, has had a good performance and on Tuesday night Cole was as good as he could, which means better than any other starter on the planet who wasn’t called Jacob deGrom.
“Everything worked for him,” Kyle Higashioka said.
Cole scored 13 more than seven innings closed, as the Yanks beat the Orioles for the 12th time in a row in the Bronx and for the 26th time in the last 30 games of the overall. The right-hander was precise and imposing with his fast ball, surpassing in three digits. His slider was a punch. And their growing confidence and use in their transformation has provided more weapons, especially against left-wing batters.
Still, the question of the 2021 Yankees would never be about ace. The concern was the rest of the rotation and a bullpen that started the year with Zack Britton and Justin Wilson injured. But through five games (again only five games), the staff has not allowed more than three runs in one game.
“I think we have good pitchers in the first place,” Aaron Boone said. “I felt like I was going to spring training. I felt that our 13-20 competitors for the final places on the list were definitely as deep as since I’ve been here. I feel like all of our guys have good strong sources and end up building well. And I have the feeling that they are throwing well around the table.
One of the inspirations of the spring was Jameson Taillon, currently the only member of the list of 26 Yankee players who did not play. That changes Wednesday when the 29-year-old catches the ball in a game that counts for the first time in 707 days; for the first time since his second surgery to Tommy John.
Much of this Yankees season is about what non-school starters can offer, especially the quartet that has barely performed in the last two years: Taillon, the German, Corey Kluber, and finally the Yankees wait, Luis Severino. Boone said, “The $ 1 million question in this year’s Major League Baseball.” Who can stay healthy and hold on after a reduction or absence from work during the 60-game pandemic season 2020. For the Yanks, the mystery deepens due to the lack of tickets for two years for so many key launchers.
Taillon’s mystery goes a little further: is there still an important career for him? Once good enough to be the second pick in the 2010 draft, Taillon dreamed of racking up 100 WARs (10 pitchers have never done so) and winning 20 games for 15 years in a row. But he had Tommy John surgery, then testicular cancer and then needed a second Tommy John surgery.
The latter came after the Pirates had changed their ace after the 2018 season. That was Cole. Taillon’s turn would be No. 1 in 2019. But he only started seven. He tried to avoid the second surgery, knowing the odds of returning from a repeated procedure. He called this the “lowest point” of his career.
Which brings more resonance and meaning to what comes Wednesday.
“More than anything, I think this will sound cheeky, I’m excited to be part of the Yankees and get out on the Yankee stadium mound and start working,” Taillon said. “I am ready to put rehabilitation in the past. I am ready to contribute to this team, compete and catch the ball every fifth day ”.
What he wants to be these days is Charlie Morton. Taillon participated in spring training with Morton when they were both pirates and Morton was still frustrated by injuries and unfulfilled talent. But for the past five years, starting with the 33-year-old season, Morton has been an elite starter, learning how to better prepare his body and use his things. At 29, Taillon said, “I think there’s a lot ahead.”
There may be a hundred wars gone. But Taillon will try to keep up the good vibes of the Yankees and follow step 1 to show that there is still a substantial career possible.