There’s little doubt the New York Yankees are among the Majors’ best teams this season. But with the Yanks playing in a tough AL East, it’s tough to call them the frontrunners to take the division.
But as one insider proclaimed, the Yankees are the team to beat in the AL East.
That’s the proclamation that Jeff Passan made on Thursday. During an appearance on the Blair & Barker Show, Passan made it clear that the Yanks are dominating this season, even without their two best arms.
“The Yankees… look like the team to beat in the American League East right now. And that’s no disrespect intended to the Blue Jays… the Yankees pitching right now, they’re doing this without Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon.”
Passan pointed out how New York’s pitching has surrendered just six runs in its first six games this season. Moreover, Passan singled out Max Fried as the team’s best arm this season.
However, there’s one warning that the notable insider issued to the rest of the American League. Opponents had better watch out when Rodon and Cole eventually make their way back into the Yankees’ rotation.
“You eventually add Cole and Rodon to that rotation, you just got a surfeit of pitching otherwise.”
Cole and Rodon could very well be the difference-makers once they get back into the mix. But there’s one arm that Passan believes has been outstanding for the Yankees thus far.
Schlittler Emerges as Elite Arm for Yankees
Passan pointed out how Cam Schlittler has been a major piece of the Yankees’ success this season. The 25-year-old is off to a brilliant start this season. In his first two starts, he has not surrendered a run in 11.2 innings. He’s fanned 15, proving he’s got the stuff to be an ace one day.
“Cam Schlittler and the development there, the guy looks like an ace right now. Like, the stuff is premium grade-A, the command is better, I think, than the Yankees were even anticipating, and he’s just got moxie and balls out there on the mound.”
The high praise is not unjustified. Schlittler’s stuff has been so good that Passan concluded the following:
“I just love watching Cam Schlittler pitch. “
With a solid pitching rotation, the Yankees could well be on their way to another finish atop the AL East.
Yanks Pacing AL East at the Moment
The Yankees are pacing the AL East at the moment. The club is off to a 5-1 start, opening up a one-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the early going, it looks like the division will come down to a two-horse race between New York and Toronto. The Baltimore Orioles are hanging tough at 3-3.
However, the Tampa Bay Rays (2-4) and Boston Red Sox (1-5) will have some serious catching up to do. They’ll need to turn things around quickly if they are to get back into the playoff hunt.
That aside, the early returns show the Yankees being the class of the AL East. Beyond that, the Yanks have the best record in the American League. So, fans could be in for a thrilling season if the pace keeps up.
Yankees ‘Team to Beat’ Without Key Pieces, Insider Proclaims