With Jordan Montgomery lost to Tommy John surgery, John Smoltz believes the Yankees’ success could be based on arms they haven’t acquired yet.
Smoltz, the Hall of Famer and Fox MLB analyst, speculated on a recent conference call that he is confident the Yankees will add a starting pitcher to the rotation before the postseason. And thinks they might not stop at one.
“Their offense is going to carry them into playoffs, but the extra pitcher they get — or two — would make a big difference in how far they go,” Smoltz said. “It’s a good problem to have if you’re [GM] Brian Cashman, and I think he’ll make a move. I’m confident he’ll make a move to help that team down the stretch and go as far as they’re capable of going.”
The Yankees’ staff, sans Montgomery, consists of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and (at the moment) Domingo German. Names such as Cole Hamels, Michael Fulmer and Chris Archer could be available.
Smoltz thinks there are only a couple of teams in the majors that have the power pitching to get through the stacked lineup in The Bronx, who currently sit at No. 1 in MLB in home runs and second (to Boston) in runs scored.
“It’s power pitching versus power hitting, it’s the greatest challenge in baseball that the Yankees provide for the opposition,” Smoltz said.