The unexpected hero of a Yankees team fighting for the Wild Card and a place in the postseason

Aaron Boone - English MLB - English New York Yankees - English Sports Will Warren - English

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In a season marked by ups and downs and constant pressure in the fight for the Wild Card, the New York Yankees have found an unexpected lifeline in Will Warren, a 26-year-old pitcher who has transformed his rookie year into a redemption story. After starting with a worrying ERA of 7.71, his evolution has been remarkable, in his last 18 starts, he has lowered his ERA to 3.94, becoming a key piece in the rotation.

His most recent outing was a clear sign of his maturity, retiring 17 of the first 18 batters he faced and pitching six and one-third innings on just 85 pitches. Manager Aaron Boone had no hesitation in praising him:

I think he’s gained a lot of confidence from what happened last year, and now he realizes that he can get really good hitters out with his repertoire

Who is Will Warren? The young pitcher who is saving the Yankees rotation

Although his name was not among the top prospects at the beginning of the year, Will Warren has defied expectations based on adjustments and consistency. One of his keys has been control, as in his last outing he did not walk a batter, the first time in his career with at least six innings pitched and three hits or less allowed.

Beyond the numbers, Warren has shown composure when the game is on the line, against the Minnesota Twins, he overcame 3-0 counts on three occasions and managed to dominate the hitters, even allowing solo home runs to Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach without losing control of the duel. His combination of fastball, sinker and change of speed has made him unpredictable for his opponents.

Are the Yankees and their wild card fight: Is Will Warren the key piece for October?

With the schedule tightening and the fight for the American League Wild Card heating up, Warren has delivered stability at a time when the bullpen and other starting arms have been inconsistent. He already has 19 starts in which he has allowed three earned runs or fewer, a mark that has not gone unnoticed by the franchise.

Warren himself recognises the responsibility he and his teammates carry every time they take the mound: “As a rotation, we take pride in getting to six or more each time,” he said. And in his case he has done so regularly, earning the trust of the coaching staff.

If the Yankees manage to secure their postseason ticket, it will have a lot to do with the unexpected arm that has emerged from the shadows of the Bronx.

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