Having a .667 winning percentage is like a must do for the Yankees or something. So far, a month into the season, the Yankees record sits at 16-8, let's not forget that three of eight losses are with one Javier Vazquez on the mound. Take Vazquez out of the equation, as I stated last week, and the Yankees are even better than the already outstanding record.
One of the reason is they have a #5 starting pitcher that's even better than his rotation positioning. Phil Hughes threw another seven shutout innings today in the blowout of the White Sox, hasn't allowed more than two runs in any outing this year, and so far has dropped his ERA below two. Hitters are hiting a riculous .103 off of him and his WHIP is below 1.00.
And he almost was put in the bullpen in favor of Joba Chamberlain.
Now, these numbers are so astronomical that they'll be impossible to sustain. There's only one way to go for Hughes and that's down from here. He also hasn't had great opponents yet, the Angels, Oakland, Baltimore, and today the "other" Sox. Granted, the next team he pitches against, which is scheduled to be the Red Sox next weekend, doesn't look so hot either.
In any case, Hughes is proving me right and his critics wrong and it shows clearly on the mound. He's in man yways throwing like Zach Grienke did early last year and remember, Hughes is only 23 years old. He could be an ace in the hole going forward if what we're seeing is foreshadow. And if Hughes is the real deal, than the Yankees will FINALLY develop a legit starting pitcher.
Studs and Duds This Week
Baltimore 5, NY Yankees 4
Stud: Phil Hughes- Example A of my argument thsi week. Walks and ptich coutn were high for just 5.2 innings, but only two hits allowed is something else.
Dud: David Robertson- Coo, coo ca choo Mr. Robertson? This guy is giving me fits with his slow start, and when I mean slow I mean REALLY slow. Robertson is pitching his way to Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
NY Yankees 8, Baltimore 3
Stud: Robinson Cano- I haven't really highlighted him much this season, but Cano is tearing the cover off the ball. A home run on wednesday was just a little part of his big week.
Dud: Adam Jones- Slow hitting has been a killer for the O's in their horrendous start and Jones is one of them. Seriously, a leadoff guy hitting .202? Doesn't bode well if I'm manager.
NY Yankees 4, Baltimore 0
Stud: A.J. Burnett- Cano was awesome too, but it's time to give Burnett credit. He was a beast on Thursday, shutting out the Orioles over eight innings. Crazy good stuff for the wild but wooly A.J.
Dud: Nolan Reimold- Again taking a look at poor hitting Orioles, Reimold is figuring out the meaning of sophomore slump, hitting .193 at the close of Thursday.
NY Yankees 6, CHI White Sox 4
Stud: Derek Jeter- SOOOO close for Jeter as he came up a double short of a cycle. 3 for 4 with a sinlge, triple , home run, and four RBIs was a huge part of the Yankees' win.
Dud: Curtis Granderson- No offense to Grandy, but he hasn't been a huge difference maker in the first month of the season. Is he really worth losing Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui over? So far the answer is no.
CHI White Sox 7, NY Yankees 6
Stud: Andruw Jones- I thought we were seeing a John Buck repeat on Saturday afternoon, two home runs in the first three innings brought back old memories of the Atlatna Braves Andruw Jones.
Dud: Javier Vazquez- Well, it's that fifth day, so that must mean a loss because Vazuqez is pitching. Seriously, a WHIP above 2.00 and an ERA approaching 10.00 is beyond ridiculous.
NY Yankees 12, CHI White Sox 3
Stud: Phil Hughes- Though the entire team was off the wall Sunday, Hughes was again twirling well. Seven innings, four hits, one walk, zero runs again in case you skipped by opening statement.
Dud: Mark Buehrle- Epic fail for Mr. White Sox, who was lit up by the Yankee lineup. Ten hits in 4.2 innings is pretty bad and set up a big romp for the Yanks.
My Yankee Picks This Week
Last Week 4-2
Season 8-15
Mon. vs Baltimore WIN
Tues. vs Baltimore WIN
Wed. vs Baltimore WIN
Fri. at Boston WIN
Sat. at Boston LOSS
Sun. at Boston LOSS
It's Happy Time!!!
Happy 25th Birthday Jarrod Saltalamacchia- Yes, the guy with the longest name in MLB history turns 25 today. Salty hasn't quite matched his expected career path as a catcher so far in three years with the Texas Rangers, but he many years left ahead of him. Because his name oges literally from armpit to armpit, happy birthday Jarrod.
Happy 71st Anniversary Lou Gehrig- Or is it unhappy anniversary. This was the day where Gehrig ended his iron man streak volunerily at 2,130 games as his play was slipping due to ALS.In other words, the beginning of the end was tday in 1939. We love you Lou, even to today.
Happy Trails Curtis Granderson- Grandy is DL bounded after leaving Sturday's game with a strained groin injury. It will certainly give the Yankees a test as injuries begin to enter the equation. How will they react?
Around the MLB
AL East- The Red Sox are in trouble. They were just swept by the Orioles in Baltimore this weekend, yeah the 2010 Orioles, not the good early 80's or late 90;s Orioles. Boston is in quite a dissarray right now, which is fantastic for us Yankee fans, but one things for certain: they need to figure things out fast. Tampa Bay and New York are becoming distant by the day.
AL Central- Talk about Sox teams in disarray, the White Sox look like a disaster right now. They lost two of three to the Yanks and were lucky it wasn't a sweep. Alexei Ramirez I believe made comments over the weekend, it was mentioned on today's YES telecast, and right now Ozzzie Guillen is looking restless. Trouble brewing on the South side.
AL West- And now to more messy teams, the AL West is a sea of disappointmens right now. The Angels are coming off being swept by Detroit, Seattle's sitting in last place, and first place Texas is 13-12. Yeah, that division is sucking.
NL East- So a report today says the Nationals are looking to bump Steven Srasburg up to AAA. Straburg is sitting at just a few weeks away from a big league debut and the way he is throwing at AA, he should make an immediate impact on a not totally horrible Nationals team.
NL Central- Reading through blogs today, I saw somethign strange that caught my eye. So apparently Albert Pujols is getting criticized for not hustling? Really? Seriously really? Now I haven't seen the Cardinals outside of that 20 inning marathon agaisnt the Mets, but look at Pujols' numbers this season, then look at the Cardinals large lead in the NL Central. As far as I'm concerned, case closed.
NL West- I'll be honest, more disappointing than even the Red Sox this season has been the slow start of my predicted NL champions, the Dodgers. Tied for last in the NL West and 4th worst-record in the entire National LEague, L.A. is losing to pretty inferior teams (1-5 against the PIRATES?!?!) Not good news in Dodgertown.
What to Watch This Week
Monday- St. Louis at Philadelphia 7:05 CSN Philadelphia
Jaime Garcia (2-1) vs. Cole Hamels (2-2)
Two division leading teams face off in Philly, as the National League's best team pays a visit to a Phillie team competing in a tough NL East.
Tuesday- Baltimroe at NY Yankees 7:05 YES
Brian Matusz (2-1) vs. A.J. Burnett (3-0)
Not a huge matchup, but since I'll be there, you should watch it. Plus Brian MAtusz gives the Orioles a chance every time he pitches.
Wednesday- Detroit at Minnesota 1:10 FS Detroit
Rick Porcello (2-2) vs. Kevin Slowey (3-2)
Two of the AL Central's toughest teams are dueling at Target Field for first in the division;. It's only May but every game between top teams could be a difference maker in September.
Thursday- San Francisco at Florida 7:10 FS Florida
Matt Cain (1-1) vs. Ricky Nolasco (2-1)
The Marlins are holding their own through the first month of the season, Thursday they will deal with Matt Cain and the high-flying Giants.
Friday- Tampa Bay at Oakland 10:05 SUN Sports
David Price (3-1) vs. Gio Gonzalez (3-1)
It's going to be a pitcher's duel in the Bay Area as young lefty David Price faces the surpisingly solid Gio Gonzalez on Fridya night.
Saturday- San Francisco at NY Mets 1:10 CSN Bay Area
Todd Wellemeyer (1-3) vs. Johan Santana (3-1)
The Giants will have their hands full at Citi on Saturday as the Mets trot out Sanatan to the mound. San Fran's bats will face a difficult test.
Sunday- NY Yankees at Boston 8:05 ESPN
C.C. Sabathia (3-1) vs. Jon Lester (1-2)
It's Yankees-Red Sox, and though the team's are playing on compeltely different levels right now, a rivalry is a rivalry.
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