Who Is the 5th Starter?

Clearly with two series behind them there remains one big question? Who will become the # 5 starter. The plan out of Tampa was to have have Ian Kennedy fill that role, for now. However after getting tagged up in Friday's 13-4 Rays slaughter of the Yankees, you have to wonder if he will get another shot. The plan as as right now is to give the kid a shot, while everyone in the Yankees and the American League re-evaluates the Tampa Bay Rays. Also there must be a re-evaluation of LaTroy Hawkins going on. Hawkins clearly pitched one season too many in the Colorado air. He forgot what the American League can do to a baseball, and his ERA now pays for it.

Hawkins would not be my choice for long relief as his ERA was climbing until the Colorado year. As pitchers age, their ERA typically looks like an inverted bell curve. A little high in their rookie debut year and then leveling off a little lower, climbing as the arm begins to wane and their speed goes down until they compensate. Hawkins probably should be sent to the minors or Tampa to work on his control because clearly in his 3 appearances he has had little of it.
The Yankees are now on the road, playing tonight in Kansas City against the Royals. Home Opener is tonight, and I am keeping my fingers crossed. While it is bad form to beat the home team at he home opener, the Yankees need wins as being in first place is the only road to October this year. And just in case you haven't paid attention, The Red Sox open at Fenway today for the first time as well.

The Yankees need a big "W" from Hughes this afternoon (Game time is 3:10 EST) as Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka will most likely prevail over Detroit's Kenny Rogers. I don't mind not being in 1st place in the AL East as long as Boston stays behind the Yankees. Brian Bannister the Royal's starter is solid, and going for win # 2 this afternoon. I am hoping the Yankee bats heat up, because it will be needed to beat Bannister.

With a more solid American League this year, I am heading no bets for where the Yankees will be on April 30th. However without a solid # 5 starter and more control in the pitching of LaTroy Hawkins; we could end on on the bottom agins, liek last year.

What is it with April and pitching?