The Tampa pitching experiment wouldn't work against the Yankees

By now, you've probably heard of Tampa's devilish new reverse-starter strategy: A "closer" like Sergio Romo starts the game, pitches the first inning, goes through the first three batters, then leaves for the "starter," who a) avoids facing the top hitters and b) confuses any platoon-crazy opposing manager who firms up his larder with righties or lefties. Interestingly, it was Tampa that first pushed defensive over-shifts and became pioneers in the "tanking" movement, finishing last to draft first (David Price, Evan Longoria, et al.) Now, the Rays may be altering the fundamental DNA of the staff. If this becomes the norm - that is, if it works - we may never see complete games, single pitcher shut-outs and no-hitter masterpieces.

But if Tampa tries this with the Yankees, well, good luck with that, Tampons.

Instead of avoiding the Big Three Yankee hitters, the Rays starter will enter the fray against the middle and bottom of the lineup, which right now is doing the damage. Thus far, the first inning brings...

1) Brett Gardner, hitting .233, about 50 points below his career average.
2) Aaron Judge, formidable, but fans too often and can be pitched around.
3) Giancarlo Stanton, who - frankly - has yet to show up. 
4) Didi Gregorius, who is cold as ice... willing to sacrifice our love... you never take advice, someday he'll pay the price, I know... yes, I know...

But down at the bottom, ka-boom. Miguel Andujar is hitting .291 and seeming to improve with every game. And finally, at least for now anyway, the Yankees' best hitter by far: Gleyber Torres.

Let me take a deep breath and chose my words carefully. 

We could be looking at two Yankee cornerstones for the next decade. 

Yeah, that's a lot to bullshit to load on two rawboned rookies, and baseball is generally cruel to such statements, but like the butterfly in China, which flaps its wings and creates a hurricane in Florida, it's the bottom of the order where the Yankee big innings start. Gleyber Torres has become the Yankee you most want to see come to bat. And if Gardy ever gets going - (and somewhere, a clock is ticking on this) - no revolutionary new Tampa pitching strategy is going to matter to the Yankees. 

One final thought on that strategy: Could it be the thing that settles down... and saves... Dellin Betances? Hmmm.