Bullpen is better than September numbers illustrate

NEW YORK — The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in the league, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at their September numbers.

For the season, the Yankees’ relievers have combined for 6.4 Wins Above Replacement (4th in MLB), a 3.70 ERA (6th), a 26.3% strikeout rate (5th) and a 1.22 WHIP (4th). But in September, the group has stratified into two distinct classes: the haves and have nots. The Yankee bullpen owns a 4.95 ERA this month, has blown five saves, and is tied for the secondmost home runs allowed by any American League relief corps.

Unfortunately for manager Aaron Boone, Chad Green has found himself in the have not category as of late. After being one of his most reliable — and most used — relievers, Green has struggled to get anyone out this month. His get-right appearance on Monday against the Rangers, which came after four days of rest, put a stop to Green’s ugliest stretch of the year. The rubber-armed reliever had given up runs in his previous four outings, which were marred by three home runs and two blown saves, before the Rangers showed up.

Home runs have been Green’s downfall since Opening Day — his 14 gopher balls trail only Baltimore’s Adam Plutko for most by a reliever — but the issue really flared up at the worst possible time. With the Yankees fighting for their playoff life, and Green running into barrels every night, the off days seemed to help tremendously. His 1.2 innings without a hit on Monday looked more like the Green that Boone has trusted so consistently.

“My body has felt pretty good all year,” Green insisted after shutting down the Rangers. “We’re all going to go through