FanPost

Innings limits are silly

In the past 2-3 weeks I've heard/read various reporters/experts/analysts refer to the likely innings limits the Yankees will have on Severino and Montgomery.

It's kind of mind-boggling.

If there is one thing Girardi has shown an ability to do, and do well despite some thinking otherwise, it is manage a pitching staff. Overall, while there are some hiccups now and then, he tends to make the right move. Sometimes a pitcher doesn't "have it" on a given night. And while he may be a bit too "by the book" for some, his track record regarding handling a pitching staff is pretty good.

So that brings me to the innings limit story that isn't yet a big story, but likely will be.

Last year's innings leader for NYY was Tanaka. And he threw 199.2.

Sabathia threw 179.2 and Pineda threw 175.2. Fourth on the list was Eovaldi at 124.2.

Right now, Severino sits at 81.1, Pineda and Tanaka are 2 & 3 with 77.2 & 76.2, and Sabathia is 4th with 75.1. Montgomery is at 69.0.

In 14 games the season will be, officially, half over. So let's play with numbers for a moment.

Three more trips through the rotation, and let's project an average of 6.2 innings per start for each. That's 20 more innings apiece.

So, by the midway point you're looking at 101.1 for Severino, 97.2 and 96.2 for Pineda/Tanaka, still 75.1 for Sabathia (remember, he's DL'd), and 89 for Montgomery.

Pineda and Tanaka have no limits, so there is no worry about them possibly creeping toward 200 if necessary (speaking strictly about workload, not performance). Sabathia will not be an issue upon his return.

So the "worry" then becomes, if projections are as easy as doubling the first half, one has to ask if it's possible for Severino to throw 200 innings, and for Montgomery to throw 180.

Look at the combined stats last year and you'll see that Severino threw 150 and Montgomery 140. It stands to reason that if the situation allows, one or both will be skipped a start here or there to preserve their arm, and also that there are bound to be a few clunkers. That said, it should be entirely possible and in fact probably that Severino throws about 185/190 and Montgomery throws 175 or so regular season innings this year without a limits issue.

Plus, with Cessa/Green/Adams/etc. all available for spot starts, I don't see why IP will be an issue at all.

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