Friday, August 29, 2014

Kuroda Avoiding Third Consecutive End of Season Breakdown


I don't want to be a jinx or anything here but Hiroki Kuroda may be avoiding a third consecutive season in which he falls off the face of the Earth in August and September, a great sign for the Yankees and their playoff push. Kuroda has a 3.28 ERA in his last nine games, although July is always his strongest month, but his August numbers tell an entirely different story from 2012 and 2013.

In August 2014 Kuroda has thrown 24.1 innings in four starts and has seen his ERA fall from 3.97 to 3.94. Kuroda has pitched into the sixth in three of his four starts and has allowed three runs or less in all four starts. Kuroda is 2-1 in the month with a no decision, a game the Yankees lost.

In August 2013 Kuroda threw 31.2 innings in five starts and saw his ERA rise from 2.45 to 2.89. Kuroda pitched into the sixth inning three times but allowed at least three runs in four of his five starts. Kuroda went 1-4 in his August starts last season.

In August 2012 Kuroda threw 46 innings in six starts but actually saw his ERA drop from 3.19 to 3.04. Kuroda pitched at least eight innings in four of the six starts including a complete game and pitched at least 6.1 innings in all six starts. Kuroda only allowed more than three runs once in the month but went 3-3 during the month. This month was not terrible for Kuroda, his breakdown was more in September than August in 2012, but all those innings definitely took its toll on Kuroda.

Kuroda seems to be primed to finish the season strong and the Yankees cannot accept anything less if they want to make the playoffs in 2014. Let's hope Kuroda keeps it together for September and beyond.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)