This is getting pretty ho-hum, isn’t it? The Yankees have all but one of the series they’ve played this year after sweeping Baltimore out of the Bronx yesterday. As they have been all season, the Yankees starters have been the biggest contributors to the wins.
All together, starters CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte pitched 20.1 innings against the Orioles while allowing just three runs (two earned, 0.8612 ERA) on 17 hits and six walks (1.1443 WHIP), while striking out 12 (eight of those coming in A.J.’s start in game two of the series).
Of course, the series doesn’t come without concern as Jorge Posada left game two with a sore calf and Andy Pettitte had an MRI yesterday, and will miss at least his next start. It would appear Sergio Mitre will get his start against the Tigers on Monday in Detroit. I wish it could be Joba, but that’s not going to happen. However, if the Yankees decide to put Pettitte on the DL, I’d obviously like to see Joba get his starts.
Offensively, the Yankees were paced by the New York Nicks (H/T RAB). They reached base a combined 13 times out of a possible 20 times (.650 OBP) including two home runs.
Robinson Cano cooled off a bit, as he was just 2-12 in the series (.167) with no walks or extra base hits. I’m not worried, though. After all, it’s just 12 ABs and he was bound to come down at some point.
Going into the off day today and to Boston for the weekend, there isn’t much to worry about in Yankee-land. Andy Pettitte’s injury doesn’t seem too serious and it won’t really affect the team for this weekend. It could, however, affect them in Detroit and that’s something to look out for.
As for the series with the Sox, it’s always a big deal when they and the Yankees lock horns but I wouldn’t put too much stock into this series. Even if the Sox sweep it, they’ll still be behind the Yankees. With that in mind, we could argue that this series is much bigger from the Sox point of view. In reality, though, it’s just another early May series that won’t have much impact on the end of the season. I said in my last series wrap that the Yankees could end up going 5-1 this week, and I still believe they can. Like I said in my post on the opening series in Boston, though, no matter the result of this series, I won’t be too surprised.
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3 Responses to Yanks' Starters Dominate another Series
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TIQ IQ
Don’t May games count the same as September games?
The New York Nicks slogan was stolen from me in an RAB Live chat on 4/9.
“2:40
[Comment From AMSkollar]
Can we officially name our RF and DH The New York Nicks? They would be the best in the city!
2:41
Mike A.: Fuggedaboutit.
2:41
Joe P.: I kinda like that. I’ll try to make it stick.
“
“However, if the Yankees decide to put Pettitte on the DL, I’d obviously like to see Joba get his starts.”
- I’m as firm in the Joba should get a fair opportunity to start (without any restrictions like he’s had his whole career as a starter) camp…
However, I can’t see how moving Joba from the bullpen for several spot starts is smart in any way. One of the biggest problems I’ve had with the Yankees handling of Joba is the jerking around. I was pulling for Joba to win the competition in ST (although I considered both Joba and Hughes starters, and still do), but since the job did not go to him, keeping him in the bullpen for the remainder of the season is the prudent thing to do.
Joba looks to be the type that needs a defined role to succeed. Joba’s in bullpen mode right now, and should be kept in that mode for his success and mindset. We can talk starter in 2011 (we’ll see if that happens) when most likely Vazquez and Pettitte will be gone.
Removing him from the bullpen only to put in back in the bullpen later does not make any sense at all.