Yankees' starting rotation has gotten its act together

BOSTON — Culprits abound from the Yankees’ poorest stretch of the season, June 13-Aug. 10, when they went 20-31, a period in which they went from controlling the AL East to barely holding on to the league’s third and final wild-card spot.

There was an offense overly reliant on the home run — a years-long issue that continually has bitten the Yankees in the postseason and one that remains an issue until proved otherwise — and a bullpen that took a nosedive after starting the season well.

But also front and center was a starting rotation that collectively went into the tank for much of that stretch. One starter after another produced a five-inning outing but little else. That put additional stress on an already-on-fumes bullpen. Requiring any group of relievers, no matter how deep, to record 12 outs (or more) on a nightly basis simply isn’t sustainable for prolonged success.

But the starters appear to have regained their form.

The unit, buoyed by the performances of reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and hard-throwing rookie righthander Cam Schlittler, came into the day having allowed two or fewer earned runs  in 16 of the last  18 games, going 12-2 with a 2.19 ERA in that span. The group had allowed two or fewer earned runs in 29 of its last 34 starts, posting an MLB-best 2.66 ERA in that stretch. And Max Fried added to that Saturday, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings in the Yankees' 5-3 victory over the Red Sox.

It is not a coincidence that the Yankees, taking advantage of a far less demanding schedule, have been winning far more often, going 21-9 since Aug. 11.

“Probably as much as anything, [that] has helped fuel us through this last month where we’ve kind of got it turned around a little bit,” Aaron Boone said. “It starts with the starting pitchers because, you know, if they’re routinely giving you quality outings into the fifth and sixth and even the seventh, whatever it may be, now all of a sudden you’re in better position to close out games. The pen’s able to protect one another, you’re not overextending guys. Love seeing it. We’ve got to keep doing it.”

Winning ways

Friday’s victory moved the Yankees to 82-65, which clinched the franchise's 33rd consecutive winning season. That’s the second-longest streak of the four major sports, trailing the Yankees’ 39 straight winning seasons from 1926-64.

30 for 30

Jazz Chisholm Jr. stole two bases Friday night to give him 30, leaving him two homers short of becoming the third Yankee to reach 30 stolen bases and 30 homers in a season. He hit his 29th homer on Saturday.

“It would mean a lot if we win the division with it,” Chisholm said of reaching such a milestone. “That would feel like I helped the team a lot and helped us win. But if we don’t win the division with it, it won’t mean as much as I would want it to mean in my heart.”

Bobby Bonds was the first Yankee to have a 30-30 season in 1975 and Alfonso Soriano did it in 2002 and 2003.

Stanton sits

Giancarlo Stanton, who started in leftfield Friday night and who has always hit well at Fenway Park (a .313/.387/.528 slash line with seven homers in 38 career games there), did not start in left Saturday. Jasson Dominguez, whose playing time in the second half has gradually dried up, started there instead.

“Really, just kind of getting Dominguez in there, another lefty against Bello,” Boone said before the game of Boston righthander Brayan Bello. “[And] being mindful still with Giancarlo in this stretch [13 in a row]. Something he and I talked about as a possibility today and then circling up last night, it seemed to make the most sense.”

Boone said Stanton is fine physically and would be available off the bench. He did not get into Saturday's game.

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.