yankees228

The Yankees originally claimed that Matsui was not going to be DL'd, so I'm not yet convinced that he is not going to eventually wind up on the DL or that this is not serious. We'll see. So far it looks like they lucked out on this one but anything can happen. Rasner, back in the cold weather (for whatever that's worth), against a strong Cleveland offense is probably going to be a recipe for disaster on Tuesday. However, I'll worry about this weekend before looking ahead to the Cleveland series.

In terms of positives, Henn did a really nice job tonight, and Vizcaino helped his case for taking over 8th inning duties. Abreu really swung the bat well tonight, even though he had no hits to show for it. Damon also stayed hot with two hits. Other than that, tonight brought a lot of negatives with it.

Ugh, if only Abreu's shot had not been right at Castillo. EDIT: Giambi continues his slow start.

That's why the Yankees won when Zimmer was the bench coach, not because he was telling Joe some great strategies or anything, but because he could tell when Joe was falling asleep and would wake him up.

Here is what I would have done. There are games when Farnsworth really has it, and then there are games when he doesn't have it at all. He walked Castillo on four pitches (you know something is wrong when you walk Castillo considering all he can do is hit singles). I agree with letting him face Punto, considering Punto isn't too great a hitter and no one would be warmed at that point. But you have to recognized when Farnsworth doesn't have it and that should be apparent after what he did with the first batter. So now there is a runner on second and one out. Mike Myers is on this team for a reason, because he is supposed to be able to get out lefties just about every time. If he can't do this he is taking up a roster spot. I bring in Myers to face Mauer, if he gets him out, I walk Cuddyer intentionally. Then I let Myers face Morneau. Obviously this is a difficult task for Myers, asking him to get out two of the best left handed hitters in the game back to back. But the way I see, if he is not getting out lefties nearly every time, he is taking someones spot on the roster who could give the Yankees more innings. I also say this because Joe has to recognize when Farnsworth doesn't have it and that should have been apparent right away.

I couldn't agree more, I hope i'm entirely wrong.

I have a feeling that they might call up Villone and move Rasner into the fourth starter spot. That would set him up for Tuesday against the Guardians. By the time they need a fifth starter again Karstens should be ready.

If they hadn't started the runners we would have got to see Dougie turn his first DP as a Yankee. EDIT: As bad as he looked against Morneau, he looked that good against Hunter. Really good sequence right there.

Hard hit ball, now, Hunter.

I just don't get this. Also, I know it's early but of all the guys in the Yankees bullpen I would say Proctor is the only one that has had a subpar start to the year.

I smell long ball.

Isn't this why they had Myers up....

Well, they said last inning that it is the hamstring. That usually means DL. I'm guessing they'll call up Villone (unfortunately), and slide Rasner into the fourth spot. He would then pitch next Tuesday at the stadium against the Guardians. By the time they need a fifth starter Karstens will probably be ready.

Yeah, that was weird. ESPN must have made a mistake because I don't think they can televise games in one of the team's markets unless it's Sunday Night Baseball. I could be mistaken though, I just remember all other Yankee games on ESPN are blacked out here in NY. That really pissed me off too, because for the first have of the 2002 season, I didn't have the YES Network, but even when games were on ESPN they were blacked out.

I feel very good about the pen too, but lets not put them up their with the Yankee pens of the late 90's after six games.