Hiroki Kuroda's hot stretch makes Yankees very imposing for October

Sunday night, the Yankees took the series from the Red Sox behind the dominant pitching of Hiroki Kuroda. It was the second straight start where Kuroda was nearly unhittable, but he's been lights out for a month. This movement bodes incredibly well for the Yankees chances at No. 28.

By Matt Snyder

Aug 20, 2012 at 11:01 am ET • 1 min read

Kuroda's been dominant for the past month. (Getty Images)

Sunday night, the Yankees took the series from the Red Sox behind the dominant pitching of Hiroki Kuroda. It was the second straight start where Kuroda was nearly unhittable, but he's actually been lights out for a month. This movement bodes incredibly well for the Yankees chances at No. 28.

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In his last seven starts, Kuroda is 4-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. In his 51 2/3 innings during that span, Kuroda has struck out 36 and only walked five. Most impressively: Opposing hitters have a .516 OPS against him.

Let's put that figure in perspective. As of Monday, Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos has a .516 OPS on the season. Embattled Mets outfielder Jason Bay has a .517 OPS. Twice-traded Brent Lillibridge has a .519 OPS, as does Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson. Look at those names. Kuroda has been making the entire lineups of the Blue Jays, Mariners, Red Sox, Tigers and Rangers look like that group of hitting misfits.

With Kuroda throwing like this and CC Sabathia coming off the disabled list this week, the Yankees appear on the verge of sporting a pair of aces for September and October.

Ah, yes, October. The only part of the season that actually matters in the Bronx. How will the Yankees fare this season? Well, they potentially have pair of aces, a great 1-2 punch at the back-end of the bullpen and the most powerful offense in baseball. Teams with this combination are an awfully tough out in the postseason.

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