FanPost

The Yankees' Case for Using the "Opener" Made Even Stronger

The Tampa Bay Rays sparked a change in baseball's status quo when they decided to let relievers such as Sergio Romo start games. While this strategy has been highly controversial, it has worked for them because their team ERA has been the best in baseball since they first used "the opener" on May 19th. After witnessing the Yankees' last two losses (on 8/1 and 8/2) vs. the hapless O's and the Red Sox, I think it's time for the Yankees to start employing the "opener" on occasion.

How the "opener" would have saved the Yankees vs. BAL- Sonny Gray has a 10.29 ERA in the 2nd inning in 2018. If Sonny Gray entered the game in the 3rd inning, with any 1 or 2 guys in the Yankees' bullpen pitching the first 2 innings, it is far less likely the O's would have scored 7 runs in the first 3 innings of that game and the Yankees probably would've won. Now, Sonny Gray's demotion to the bullpen would most likely eliminate this problem anyways, but if Sonny Gray were to enter a game in the later innings, where he is more comfortable and has a lower ERA, he would have little problem giving the Yankees' 6+ strong innings every 5 days.

How the "opener" would have helped the Yankees vs. BOS- Here is C.C. Sabathia's pitching line in his most recent start: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 77 pitches. What if C.C. entered the game in the second or third inning? The Red Sox would have most likely scored less runs in the 4th inning, setting the stage for the Yankees to catch up and never need to employ Luis Cessa for 3.2 IP.

I'm not saying that the Yankees would have won both of these games if they used an opener, but they would have had a better chance if their starters pitched in different innings.

The Rays used the opener simply because they didn't have any starters. However, the Yankees can use the opener to manipulate the innings in which a starter or reliever pitches. Instead of pitching the first 2 innings, Sonny Gray, if he becomes a starter again, can start in the 3rd inning of a game and possibly churn out more strong outings. The Yankees wouldn't have to worry so much about the length C.C. Sabathia and possibly Lance Lynn can give since their bullpen is historically great.

If the Yankees' pitching can't start escaping the early innings of games unscathed, it's time Aaron Boone used his bullpen to correct that problem.

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