Monday, April 16, 2007
Analyzing a Loss
The Yankees have had some tough breaks with their pitching.
Well, not breaks, but a repeat of last year.
Four starters landed on the disabled list, and the bull pen is showing signs that the Death Star can blow up again.
Chein-Ming Wang, last years Cy Young runner up and TYIB Pitcher of the Year started the season on the DL and is expected to return after a rehab start this Saturday in AAA Scranton.
If his rehab goes well, expect him to pitch for the Yankees next Wednesday or Thursday, just after the Yankees and Red Sox battle.
Mike Mussina returned to the DL with a strained left hammy, and for a pitcher, a hamstring injury can affect a pitcher's push-off or his stop, depending on what hand they throw with. For Moose, it's the stopping that is affected.
Carl Pavano....well, he's Pavano, this was expected.
The Yankees fifth starter, Jeff Karstens was sent to the DL with Wang before the start of the season with tendinitis in his right (throwing) elbow. However, he is young and can overcome this injury quickly and is expected to return around the same time as Wang.
As for the bullpen, better than last year, but still, lacking essential winning power.
Kyle Farnsworth was a laugh last year, but has improved dramatically to be a great set-up man for Mariano Rivera.
His last two appearance have been less than noteworthy allowing tying and winning runs to cross the plate and earning a loss in a game in which he allowed four runs through. He is making an effort to resolve this problem going over video footage of his pitching and spotting mistakes, one of them being releasing the ball to early and rushing pitches.
Mariano Rivera, who gave up last nights game to a rare home run was cold as far as preparedness goes.
He has only pitched four innings before last night striking out six and getting a few splinters from sitting on the bench too long.
In my personal diagnosis, I think sitting on the bench may have convinced Rivera that innings only last two outs since that's all he pitched before allowing two on base and sending a moon shot from a .050 hitter over the fence for the game-winning home run.
As for the "new" starting line up, Andy Pettitte and Darrell Rasner will be joined with AAA pitcher Chris Britton and AA pitcher Chase Wright who leads the Eastern League with 19 strikeouts in 14 scoreless innings and is already on the 40-man roster.
Do not expect to see Philip Hughes till late this season or even next year, Brian Cashman has made it clear he wants to build for the future and having Hughes rush into the majors will be a huge mistake.
It's about time some one in the Yankees front office read my blog.
Recent forum talk: Woe is Us: Pitching
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Labels: bullpen, Chein-Ming Wang, loss, Mariano Rivera, minor leagues, pitching, starting rotation, Yankees
Posted by Steve Kenul at 9:35 PM
The Yankees have had some tough breaks with their pitching.
Kokoyaku
