Yankees Projected Starting Rotation for MLB Playoffs

The New York Yankees have thump up and down their lineup and their bullpen is nasty, but the starting rotation has been iffy throughout the course of the regular season. Who can they rely on to get some wins on the mound?

Check out our projected rotation for the Yanks with the ALDS almost here.

4. Game 4: LHP J.A. Happ

You could see manager Aaron Boone use Chad Green as an opener for Game 4, but if he decides to use an actual starter, veteran southpaw J.A. Happ is their best option. Happ's ERA in 31 starts this season is barely below 5.00, and in his 11 playoff appearances he owns a 5.48 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. Happ doesn't give the Yankees a lot of confidence, but you can bet he'll have a short leash or be used as a quasi-opener -- if he cruises he can stay in the game, if he gets into some trouble, he's done.

3. Game 3: RHP Masahiro Tanaka

Once again, Masahiro Tanaka was hit or miss during the regular season in 2019, posting a 4.45 ERA over 32 starts. However, he's pitched like an ace over his playoff career, posting a 1.50 ERA over five starts. Tanaka has a tendency to show up in big games, so saving that for a potential road start wouldn't be a bad thing.

2. Game 2: RHP Luis Severino

Luis Severino would've likely not been in the rotation because he's missed basically the whole season, but in 12 innings since coming back he's been unhittable, posting a 1.50 ERA with a 17 strikeouts in three appearances. Severino's stuff looks electric, proving he would've been the Game 1 starter hadn't he been on the shelf for most of the year.

1. Game 1: LHP James Paxton

We're sure the Yankees expected more from James Paxton this season, but it's not like he's been horrible, especially in the month of September. In 29 starts this season he owns a 15-6 record with a 3.82 ERA and has 186 strikeouts over 150.2 innings, including a 6-0 record with a 1.69 ERA over his last seven starts. Paxton is primed and ready to lead this Yankee rotation in October.