Do the Yankees have enough relievers to win? Mapping out New York’s playoff bullpen plan

• Sports reporter, Kansas City Star, 2002-09
• Writer, Baseball, Baseball Prospectus
• Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus
• Member, Baseball Writers Association of America
• Member, Professional Basketball Writers Association

Let’s begin our examination of the great New York Yankees bullpen freak-out by comparing two groups of relief pitchers.

The first group logged a heavier workload. The second group was better — not by a ton, but better. Those relievers, as a group, were more efficient with save and hold opportunities, gave up fewer runs and were more dominant.

Well, you already know this is all about the Yankees, so let’s leap to the point. The first group comprises the pitchers who populate New York’s ALDS bullpen. The second group is made up of the relievers on the 40-man roster who, for one reason or another, aren’t currently doing battle with the Cleveland Guardians.

There are many concerns about the Yankees’ playoff bullpen, and there are many reasons those concerns are well-founded. Still, they’re based in part on a couple factors that aren’t necessarily indicative of how well Aaron Boone’s relief staff is going to perform in the days or weeks to come. The bullpen performance is very much an open question — for worse, maybe, but also possibly for better.

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