BOSTON — The Yankees know the importance of elite starting pitching.

It’s why they tried to sign Justin Verlander in the offseason and attempted to trade for Luis Castillo before the deadline this month.

But Verlander ended up back with the Astros as part of their potent rotation. Castillo is now in Seattle, where he dominated the Yankees again earlier this week.

They may see both again in October, when rotations get shorter and aces are more available. That’s not a promising formula for an otherwise dynamic Yankees offense that  hasn’t fared well against the game’s best pitchers.