The New York Yankees started the 2nd half with a surprise, overnight our #5 starter (German) transformed into #1, which completely caught me off base. Supposedly, the rearrangement was made to match our top pitchers with the top teams in up coming series. I could be wrong…Strategies are calculated tactics made prior to, or during a game, or season. Some are low risk/minimum reward-yet a high percentage; others are high risk/high reward  (but a low average).
Where does this risk rank for the New York Yankees?
I’m going to rate this one on the high side, like all decisions..if they work you’re a genius; if not, a bum! Only time will tell.
I’m not saying it is bad, because i can see the logic, and it’s good; just maybe a little pre mature.
Presently, the Yankees are six games behind the best team in baseball (which show no signs of weakening). To catch Boston and possibly overtake them could depend on our ability to acquire a quality starter. Otherwise the same crew takes the mound every five days. Granted German or Gray are quite capable of beating any team on any given day, but here enter the analytics. The only potential problem i can see, if things stay the same, is the rotation, as it turns over the rest of the way out—the bottom half could start more games than our top starters (wich is not necessarily true, must do the math). However, saving the best for last is definitely a gamble.
The toughest job for a manager, everyday, is finding a way to keep 25 guys happy—operating smoothly within their comfort zone. Trouble can occur when removed from this space.
For instance, Gardner moves to clean-up and Stanton becomes the new lead-off hitter…players say they understand and are behind you 100%, but we must remember they are human. Soon, a bad game comes, where Brett leaves 8 runners stranded and Giancarlo is caught stealing…
A happy camper is emotionally stable, winds can change, calm sea becomes choppy and suddenly.. we’re off course.
After the first game of the second half, the strategy had a set-back—German was sent down to AAA. Was he out of his element trying to be something he’s not (#1 starter) Or was this planned anyway, due to his struggles? Either way, the timing was not good. Will he bounce back, like Severino during his birth pains? Or is he down for the count?
The Yankees must continue winning, and let the chips fall where they fall, nothing beats winning! It’s the one ingredient that sustains confidence, wheter you play well or not. The opposite applies for losing, a sub-par team can get hot and ride the wave to a championship. Just as well as a top team goes cold for no apparent reason at all.
That’s the nature of sports, you can’t take winning for granted, so when you have it…hold on to it!
There could be a number of unseen factors.. we, the fans, are unaware of, which management take into account. Here are some possibilities:
- Extra time for Tanaka’s preparation
- A breather for CC
- A much needed rest for Severino, who has labored in his last 3 starts
- All of the above
- Something entirely different
Only they know the answer, I don’t. But one thing i do know is that it was a surprise!