The Yankees' biggest problem is getting ring measurements for their Championship fingers.

"Obviously, Job 1 is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and preferably do that as AL East champs."

Obviously.


"In what is Hope Week for the Yankees, their greatest wish is that all six stay healthy and productive, and Joe Girardi has a difficult choice of how to turn six into four for a Division Series. Where does he sign up for that 'problem'?"

The playoff rotation is Tanaka, Pineda, Eovaldi, and Nova.

Maybe Tanaka goes #3 to ensure that he pitches on the road. The splits don't support this hypothesis, but I'd try to avoid the short porch.



"Tanaka would be the lone lock for a playoff rotation, and perhaps Pineda, too, if he can stay healthy and rediscover his best form. After that, well, the fact-finding is still ongoing."

I just told you: Tanaka, Pineda, Eovaldi, and Nova.

It Pineda is injured, then no. That goes for all pitchers on all teams. No one can be in the playoff starting rotation if they're on the DL.


"Sabathia would have been easy to dismiss not long ago. But his fastball has ticked up in his last three starts (3.38 ERA) and an improving cutter has given him a pitch to work inside to righties and open up the outside corner. Also, Girardi is going to look for every reason to get his most experienced starter into the postseason cauldron."

No chance. To the bullpen, a la Cone in 2000.


"His most inexperienced starter, Severino, is the wild card. The perception is that high-end stuff wins in October. And Severino’s stuff (through three starts) has wowed teammates and opponents."

Three starts.

Brings back memories of Joba and the Midges.

 
"And then there is Nova, who has done fine in his 10 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. He has been essentially a cookie cutter of good, not great, but also nothing terrible.

On Thursday, he battled himself as much as the Indians — unable to tame either his sinker or curve. He walked two and both scored. He allowed a pair of two-out RBI singles and three runs in all."

"Battled himself." He should learn to live in the moment.

"Good, not great," is good enough for the Top Four. Of the Yankees' playoff rotation. If the Yankees make the playoffs ... and if their starting rotation stays healthy.

So it's Tanaka, Pineda, Eovaldi, and Nova.

This was a fun exercise.