Close Only Counts in Horseshoes

With the first month of baseball nearly gone, it is clear that certain teams are floundering in both leagues: the Texas Rangers, the Cincinnati Reds, The Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres. The rest of baseball in the American and National League, despite some front runners could to be said to be close.

My concerns of course are in the dismal state of NY Yankee pitching. Pitching despite a loaded bullpen has been a disappointment so far this year. Wang, Joba, Pettitte and Mariano are the only ones able to claim they are major league pitchers. The rest, including veteran Mike Mussina, and the kids, Kennedy and Hughes have been a solid disappointment.

Kennedy did it again today, got off to a good start, walked too many, and gave the Indians an early lead. Kid Kennedy did manage to get it together and into the 6th without any more damage. Only to have Ross Ohlendorf load Indians on the bases in the bottom of the 9th with Victor Martinez coming to bat with only one out. WHAT IDIOT MADE THE HAFNER IBB DECISION?

Compared to Ohlendorf, Hawkins and Kennedy didn't look bad. And Hawkins, Kennedy, Hughes and Traber represent the shakiest of our pitchers. The range of balls to strikes is 1 to 1.5. I'm sorry that has to improve. Wang, Pettitte, Mo, Joba and the now gone till September Brian Bruney had an average ratio of 2.36. Mo has a 1 to 8 ratio, Joba's is 1 to 3.7. The rest of the staff, save Pettite and Wang throw one ball for every strike. This has to change.

I have decided to fix blame with Joe Girardi for picking Dave Eiland, a mediocre pitcher at best to tutor a youthful staff. The Yankees can ill afford to have Eiland be the mentor for a staff once rated at high potential. Its time to change horses before April ends. Get rid of Dick! At this point I would even say get Dave Cone out of the booth and let him coach the staff. Cone at least has a defendable pedigree, Eiland does not.

I'd even suggest paying Clemens $22 million to come and coach the pitching. It's not like these guys don't have the talent, the current regime just has not found a way to harness it. Say what you want about Roger, the Mitchell Report and his hired gun attitude; Clemens is the real deal, always has been and always will be. When Torre needed a coach for a talented young staff he turned to Mel Stottlemyre; another man with an impeccable pedigree. Eiland is a mutt, lets send him to the minors.

If Crown Prince Hal erupts in a day or too, I could see why. But pitching has to change, and I would start with the pitching coach. It's time for a change.

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?