The Yankees took the field on Tuesday with precisely 600 innings from their starting pitchers this season. Only one winning team in the major leagues, the Kansas City Royals, had fewer. This explains the Yankees’ seemingly daily habit of calling up a fresh bullpen arm from the minors.
“It’s not how you exactly draw it up,” Manager Joe Girardi said, but the Yankees have gotten by. Only Kansas City has a better record in the American League.
The Royals, however, addressed their weakness in late July by trading for an ace, Johnny Cueto, who could start a playoff opener.