STARTING ROTATION

Gerrit Cole: A

Whatever is up with the sticky stuff flap, Cole’s numbers are terrific -- he has more strikeouts (147) than anyone, including Jacob deGrom, and is seventh in WHIP (0.93) and 14th in ERA (2.68). He had a lull, post-ban, but his shutout of the Astros, his old club on the final weekend of the first half was kind of epic.

Jameson Taillon: C

He hadn’t thrown a pitch in the majors since 2019, so it figures there was an adjustment period. His overall numbers (4.90 ERA, for instance) aren’t spectacular, but he was 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA over the final four starts of the first half, including a 2.08 ERA and a .152 average against in his last two outings.

Corey Kluber: C+

He hasn’t pitched since May 25 because of injury, but he authored one of the best moments of the season with his no-hitter in Texas six days earlier. Before getting hurt, he was 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA and had allowed only 41 hits in 53.1 innings, but his grade gets lowered because he was a health risk coming in and that bit the Yanks.

Domingo Germán: C-

At 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA, he’s been OK. He limits walks (19 in 81 innings), which has helped him notch a 1.22 WHIP, second among the Yanks’ currently-active starters. An excellent May outing against Texas dropped his ERA to 3.05, but he’s struggled recently. He and Taillon have given up the most homers (16) on the staff.

Jordan Montgomery: C

In a season where non-Cole elements of the rotation at times have gone haywire, Montgomery has at least provided some consistency, going 3-4 with a 4.16 ERA. He dazzled against the White Sox in May, throwing seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts, showing his high ceiling. Yanks need more of that.

BULLPEN

Aroldis Chapman: D

Earlier in the season, Chapman was an A+ cinch. His grade is so low now because the Yanks have a closer problem. Chapman looks lost. Since May 23, he has an 11.57 ERA and batters have a 1.202 OPS against him. In 11.2 innings, he’s allowed 17 hits, including five homers, and 15 walks.

Chad Green: B+

Yes, he gave up the José Altuve walk-off to end the first half, but Green (0.79 WHIP) has mostly been a rock in a bullpen that misses the injured Zack Britton and Darren O’Day. Three bad outings are why Green’s ERA is even as high as 2.89.

Jonathan Loaisiga: A

He’s third on the club in WAR, behind only Cole and Judge after a first half in which he went 7-3 with a 2.11 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP.

Nestor Cortes, Jr.: B+

If we’re talking about his mustache, the grade’s an A. But he’s been pretty great at pitching, too, contributing a 1.05 ERA in nine appearances in different roles.

Lucas Luetge: B

The 34-year-old hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2015, but he’s proven to be a reliable lefty option, going 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA and a 6.57 K/BB ratio.

Luis Cessa: B

He’s not a boldface name, but he’s provided quality innings, as evidenced by a 3.00 ERA and 3.47 FIP.

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