Hanging in There...

At 14-13, the Yankees don't look that impressive. However considering what they've been through so far this season, and the trouble the offense has been having, 14 wins is a pretty solid achievement.

Moose looked pretty good tonight, earning his 253rd career win. I wish he could have gone more than 5 innings, but the bullpen did a great job of shutting the door. Even Krazy Kyle looked good.

So, the Yankees sit at 14-13 and are just 1 game behind the first place Rays(!!), Orioles(!!?), and Red Sox.

The pitching of late has been fairly solid, but the bats have yet to come around. Even during last nights 4 run rally in the 6th, the Yankees managed to only get one ball out of the infield. The lineup hasn't truly gotten going just yet.

Solid Outing for Moose

This was an important start for Moose... There were very few people still on his side, and even those people had been quietly backing away from defending him and his pitching ability.

Moose though, answered the call and pitched great.

The biggest difference in this outing was the amount of pitches he threw inside to the Chicago hitters. It's something he's been hesitant to do his entire career, but it worked out tonight. He even broke a few bats.

A pitcher that has been doing this for a few seasons now is Greg Maddux. His fastball is comparable with Moose at this point in their careers, but Maddux has been able to find more success late in his career because he's been pitching inside...

Let's hope Moose sticks to this plan and continues to pitch inside. It'll keep guys guessing and stop hitters from just waiting for that 86 MPH fastball on the outside...

Tonight, all eyes are on the winless Hughes... People are being more patient with him because of his age, but eventually he needs to put together a quality start. Lets hope that's tonight.

Stop Pitching to Manny...

Seriously.

I'm not a baseball expert, and I don't know all the statistics so maybe there is something I'm missing...

But why in the world do the Yankees, and Mike Mussina specifically, continue to pitch to Manny? Can someone explain to me what I'm missing?

Also, I'm ok with pushing hitters back and sending a message, but not with a 97MPH fastball aimed at the head...

If it slipped, then fine.. But I'm not so sure.

Jeter's Injury Opens the Door...

A good game last night by the Yankees was marred only by Jeter leaving the game in the early innings. Moose and the pen combined for a 3 hit, 1 run effort, which is just stellar.

We'll hear more about just how serious the injury is, but the feeling seems to be that Jeter could miss up to a week, although they do want to keep him off the DL.

So, of course everyone wants to know who plays shortstop?

Jeff Passan has an article here, where he suggests that we might see A-Rod take over at short.

Really what other choice do the Yankee have?

If Jeter doesn't hit the DL, then they can't really call someone up to play short. So Girardi would have to pick from whats on the bench, or use A-Rod.

Betemit is technically their utility infielder, but hes a big guy who doesn't have the greatest range. He is much better suited at first or third base. Ensburg could maybe do it, since hes a bit more agile and has played third his whole career so he would be use to throwing across the field. Of course he has played a grand total of 2 innings at shortstop and hasn't really been knocking the cover off the ball. That leaves Shelley and Molina... Right, moving on...

I think A-rod would make the most sense, but I think at least for a few games, we'll see Betemit field the position. Girardi won't make to drastic of a change if Jeter is only going to miss a couple games.

Not as Bad as it Seemed...

But still not all that good either...

A.J. Burnett dominated the Yankee hitters last night, pitching like the #2 starter he is and Moose pitched more like a 5th starter, which is really what he should be on this team. He's not going to give them the amount of innings a team needs out of a #3 starter.

I believe the hitting will come around shortly. It always seems that early in the season, the pitchers have a great advantage over the hitters. Moose was an exception to this rule last night, because it's hard for a batter to not hit a 84 MPH fastball.

I expect Moose to get better once he settles into the regular season routine, but I still don't see him giving this team more than #4 starter numbers.

Phil Hughes takes the mound tonight, and I think all of Yankee universe is excited about that. Hopefully its warmer at the stadium for tonight's game. Everybody looked freezing last night.

Moose talks to Squirrel, pitches better

Ok well, I don't know for a fact that Mike Mussina sat down and had a chat with the squirrel, but I can only assume since he pitched so well.

I know you were all like me, and you cringed a bit when you saw Moose penciled in as the starter. But he came out and pitched great, and with each out Yankee fans collectively relaxed a little bit. Now, Yankee fans will sit back and hope to see a healthy, effective Clemens pitch on Sunday..

The Yankees gave him a 2 run lead before he even took the mound, and those turned out to be the only runs the Yankees would need. He walked 3 and only struck out 1, but it was still a solid performance.

In the playoffs (which, the Yankees will make), You have Wang then Pettitte.. But the rest of the rotation is still up in the air. Moose clearly helped his case to be the third starter tonight, but he needs to pitch well in more than just 1 game. Sunday, Clemens will get his chance to show the Yankees that he belongs in that third spot.

The Yankees go for #8 in a row tonight, with another rookie on the mound.

Speaking of rookies, The Trenton Thunder beat Akron 3-2 last night, to take a 2-0 lead in their best of 5 playoff series. Chase Wright got the win, pitching 7 and giving up 1 earned run. Don't give up on him yet.
Read more about it here.

Keep up the optimism Yankee fans!