The Yankees’ rotation is breaking records and showing its most dominant version

New York Yankees, Jameson Taillon
Feb 24, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are one of the hottest teams in baseball, and there is no question about it. Gleyber Torres came off firing out of the gates since he was reinstated from the COVID-19 list, Aaron Judge has been playing like an MVP, and Luke Voit’s return gives the offense another slugger.

However, the primary driving factor behind the Yankees’ current six-game winning streak has been the rotation. For the first time since the group was assembled, every member is performing at an incredibly high level.

Yesterday, right-hander Jameson Taillon, who has been the weakest link in the group, was outstanding during five scoreless innings against a top offense, but that wasn’t the start of it all.

The Yankees’ starting pitchers – Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German, and Taillon – haven’t allowed any earned runs in 35 innings, which would tie for second longest in franchise history (per MLB.com), after a 40-inning stretch in May 1932.

After Kluber and German’s early season struggles, and Monty’s bad start prior to last week’s gem against the White Sox (a team known for punishing lefties, no less), the unit has shown its best and most dominant version in the last turn.

The Yankees’ Big Five

It all started on May 19, when Kluber no-hit the Texas Rangers and only conceded one walk against nine strikeouts in a truly dominant performance that proves that he is all the way back to his best version.

The next day, the Yankees won with an identical score than the night before, 2-0. German was behind the pitching masterpiece, with seven scoreless frames and no walks, striking out five.

On Friday, Montgomery twirled seven scoreless frames with no walks, four hits, and eleven strikeouts against one of the toughest lineups the Yankees can face.

Cole took the mound on Saturday, and while he wasn’t at his best (3:7 BB:K ratio) he didn’t concede runs for seven innings. On Sunday, it was Taillon’s turn, and the outing went a long way in lowering his ERA to 5.06.

With the level of dominance that the Yankees’ starters have shown, there is room to dream big.