I dont know how much longer this awful pitching can continue..Igawa has been garbage, Pavano and Mussina are hurt, ,Wright just got chased out of town after 4 consecutive solo shots in Boston, Karstens and Rasner….well, its Karstens and Rasner, need I say more? Proctor is “a gamble” as he is begining to remind me of Tanyon Sturtze, Kyle Farnsworth is basically worthless since Torre never uses him, Vizcaino, Bruney, and Myers are overworked and their outings are showing it, and Rivera is yet to record a save!

What is going on???

Thank God that tonight, Wang will be returning, hopefully in form of his 2006 self, because the Yankees are really getting desperate for a starting pitcher… I bet nothing would excite Torre and the rest of the Yanks than a complete game from Wang tonight, but 7 innings is just as good.

And now, on April 24th, Torre is turning to Hughes to start on Thursday after all off-season the Yanks said they rather not even call Hughes up the whole season! Let the Phill Hughes debate begin…

That’s how desperate the team is. The Yanks have ran out of options and hopefully Hughes can come in and pitch some good games. Otherwise, man… otherwise, I have no clue what the Yanks will do next… the only thing that is making me think positive for the Yanks pitching staff is banking on a return of Roger Clemens…

Going 4 for 5 with 2, yes another TWO home runs, A-Rod now leads the league in:
Average (.400)
Home runs (14)
RBI (34)

Read that again….

Average (.400)
Home runs (14)
RBI (34)

the dude is batting .400!! He has 30 hits…9 singles, 7 doubles, and 14 home runs…A-Rod is on pace for 126 home runs and 306 runs batted in.

Now, not to get too negative, I know it’s April, but if you want to look at numbers in an “on pace” mind-set..the Yankees are on pace for 90 losses..great, an amazing season by A-Rod only means an awful season for the Yankees..remind anyone of A-Rod Texas Ranger?

Where is the logic to this!?!?

Regardless, I’m loving the production and suddenly watching A-Rod at bat seems more like a primetime event rather than a part of the Yankees game. This guy is putting on some show…

Not only did Rodriguez hit 2 home runs, but he broke an MLB record, again, becoming the fastet player ever to hit 14 home runs; only taking A-Rod 18 games! Never in my life have I seen something like this, and even in the heart of Red Sox nation I see Sox fans stop what they are doing in order to catch a glimspe of A-Rod….When Sox fans stop watching a Red Sox game in order to watch a Yankee at bat then you know something amazing is going on..

Tyler Kepner of the NY Times has a crazy blog describing A-Rods achievements this month, including his 23 game hit streak dating back to last season..

Some people believe that A-Rod’s hot start may be due to his work with new Yankees hitting coach, Kevin Long, who helped bring a new swing and approach at the plate for A-Rod.

Last season A-Rod had one of his worst years, working with Yankees great, hitting coach, Don Mattingly. I would think that having Don Mattingly correcting flaws in your swing would produce an even better hitter, but apparently not.

This season A-Rod is having the best start ever, and the Yankees hitting coach is a guy who only managed to only hit 17 homeruns in his entire Minor League Career. Not to mention Kevin Long is in his first year as an MLB coach, so naturally, one would be a little skeptical on Long’s credentials. Well, not anymore.

Yanks get rid of old hitting coach Don Mattingly, one of the best hitters of his time, and hire an unkown minor league hitting coach and suddenly, we have the 2007 A-Rod…Go Figure

Now that I think about it, 200 is a lot of homeruns and I was pretty suprised Jorge reached that milestone. But then again, Posada is easy to forget when you have a line-up with players like Giambi, A-Rod, Matsui, and Jeter.

Paul O’Niell last night commented during the game saying how Posada is a very under-rated hitter and I will have to agree. As a catcher, specially during the first weeks of the season, it is very hard to focus on hitting. Most catchers are too worried about their pitchers and how to call an effective game. Posada however has been able to both produce as a defensive catcher and one of the games top hitting catchers. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at Red Sox captain Jason Varitek, he used to be a pretty good hitter but lately I think I can produce better at bats then him.

Another thing to remember, Jorge Posada bats sixth in the Yankees order, thats the equivalent to clean-up on the D-Rays. So obv Posada can hit. At 200 career home runs he’s only 52 behind his manager, Joe Torre.

Anyway, last night, SP Chase Wright made his MLB debut vs the Indians as the Yankees won, 10-3

After lots of speculation on Joe Torre’s desicion on whether or not to bring up the 24 year old lefty, the Yankees were able to witness first hand in his abilities.

Wright started off a bit shakey, which is totally understandable for a 24 year old making his pro debut in Yankees stadium while having the eyes of Joe Torre, Ron Guidry, Alex Rodriguez and countless Yankees fans watching and judging. However after settling down, Wright was able to pitch pretty well. His final line:

5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3BB, 3 K

It seemed like during the first several innings, Wright’s worst innings, he was rushing his pitches and just too caught up in the atmosphere to really be able to focus. However, after the Yankees offense produced a solid 8 runs the pressure died down and Wright was able to throw strikes, letting his defense take care of the rest.

I was pleasantly suprised with his performance and I think that with some more development and confidence he can become a nice lefty starting pitcher for the Yankees in years to come.

He showed a nice little curveball and even though he doesnt throw too hard he still has time to improve on his velocity and power.

All in all, I liked what I saw, and as a Yankees fan you really cant expect much more from a 24 year old AA call-up. Now, if Wright is able to pitch just as well to the Red Sox, in Boston, then we know the Yankees may have something very promising in Chase Wright.

Its a pretty dice commercial, and the actin between Ortiz and Wally is funny…check it out –

click the picture for the video –

By the way, whats up with ESPN’s recent love for Jorge?

In 7 innings pitched this season, Bruney has a deeeece 11 K’s and only 1 earned run…. I know its early into the season but this guy is pretty impressive. I can only hope he keeps it up and someday make his way as set up man or even closer when Rivera retires.

It’ releaving to have someone like Bruney in the Bullpen…he’s young, throws heat, and strikes out batters like its no big deal. Hopefully he keeps it up.

Missing so many starters for the next following weeks is really going to test the Yankees pitching staff, and the young prospects who are about to be called upon.

With so many injuries to the pitching staff here is who the Yankees will be starting the next following games:

Tuesday – Chase Wright – Just called up from AA Trenton, his pitching has been pretty impressive from what I’ve heard but who knows.

Wednesday – Kei Igawa – He’s been shakey at best…

Thursday – Darrell Rasner – Solid outing last game vs. Oakland going 5.1 scoreless innings…

Friday – Andy Pettite (@ Boston) – Yankees most reliable pitcher so far, hopefully he has a solid game on Friday in the first Yankees/Red Sox battle of 2007.

So, I mean, I can sit here and tell you the Pitching situation could be a lot worse, but I’ll tell you another thing it could be a lot better…

The more and more I read other blogs the more I see how upset some people are the Yanks called up Chase Wright, I think the intention was not to rush up Hughes, who hasnt even been pitching up to par in AAA ball this season.

This next week should be real interesting…

A-Rod’s homer made him the first player ever in team history to hit 5 homeruns in the first six games.

Most homeruns in Yankees history through the first six games:

2007 Alex Rogriguez 5
1961 Mickey Mantle 4
1957 Moose Skowron 4
1956 Mickey Mantle 4
1932 Babe Ruth 4

Six games into A-Rod’s 4th season with the Yankees, I think its safe to say A-rod has finally earned his stripes.

For the first time since May 22nd, 2005, starting pitcher, Carl Pavano regestered a win as the Yankees smacked the Twins 8-2.

“Some days it feels like yesterday, and some days it feels like a lifetime,” Pavano said. “I’m glad to have all that behind me and move forward.”

Not only did Pavano get the win, but he pitched like the pitcher the Yankees envisioned when they signed him to a $40 million deal back in 2004. Allowing two runs, six hits, and no walks, Pavano lasted until the 7th inning giving the Yankees bullpen some much needed rest.

In Pavano’s brief Yankees career, up to last nights victory, Pav had only pitched 7 innings five times in eighteen starts, making last nights victory a great performance to build on. It’s quite clear that last night was a big night not only for Pavano, but for the entire Yankees starting staff as Pav set the bar for Yankees starter expectations.

So happy that after the game A-Rod said “It’s something about New York, that I love it here.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, now playing for the Yankees, number 13, Alex Rogriguez, number 13.