ROTHSCHILD OWNS YANKEE PITCHING WOES

Source: Channel 7 News

Dropping three games to the Red Sox on the eve of August is one thing, but getting slaughtered by them is quite another.  162 games makes for a long season; only those who are performing at their highest level and hold the most cards at the end will prevail.  And in a bold move on Saturday after the third Boston massacre, Yankee pitching coach Larry Rothschild took responsibility for the poor pitching performances over the last several days during a post game interview.

Source: Elite Sports NY

“It’s been really tough,” Rothschild said. “It’s been tough on them, tough on the team. But it’s my responsibility to get it right," reported NJ.com.

Truthfully speaking, although noble, it is not Rothschild's fault.  The Yankee starters just have not performed at the level expected; especially for a team with a big lead over its division rivals.  But instead of focusing forward, the Yankees have to peer back, as Jack Curry alluded when he compared the Yankees to a marathon runner who went out ahead of the pack but now finds himself checking behind him as other runners gain momentum.

Source: ABC News

"Over their last seven outings, Yankees starting pitchers have posted a 16.62 ERA. For the first time in Yankees history, they had given up at least seven runs in seven straight games. The 73 runs they have allowed in the last seven games are the most they’ve allowed over such a span in club history, according to researcher Katie Sharp," as reported by NJ.com.

The diverse group of starters each have a different set of issues going wrong: mechanics, grip, control, etc.  But having these all converge at the same time is truthfully killing this team.  Maybe we needed Rothschild and even Skipper Aaron Boone to stand up, take responsibility, plan and lift this pitching staff.

Source: Elite Sports NY

“It’s a matter of just continuing to dive in with each guy, where we can make small little adjustments, attacking the game plan in the best way possible,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Making sure we’re leaving no stone unturned as far as helping the guys make whatever little adjustments or subtle things that they need to change and also not overreacting to a bad week of baseball," reported NJ.com.

The Yankees finish up the final game of this four-game stint on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball tonight where Chris Sale and Domingo German go head to head.  Maybe the Yankees will get their mojo back and can avoid a sweep before heading home.  They will get a reset day on Monday and then it will be back at it.  Hopefully they will right the ship before it's too far off course.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof