PITCHING ROULETTE

Good pitching wins ball games. It's no secret. Put two good offensive teams against each other and the team with the "better" pitcher has an edge. We need to be that team. Our offense seems to get lighter and lighter every week. Our bench is depleted right now, especially since we are carrying more bullpen arms. The Yankees know what they need to do to get the job done....so it's time to "Grind It!" as our good friend Jorge Posada would say.

We have been talking about pitching a lot lately, and Chad MacDonald made some great points in YANKEES ROTATION: THE BACK TWO. It's easy to sit back and analyze things when you are an outsider. Thankfully I don't have Joe Giardi's job.

Before we signed Hiroki Kuroda, I admit I was skeptical. I didn't like the idea. I just wasn't convinced that he would thrive in the American League East. I am now happy to admit that I was wrong. I like when the Yankees prove me wrong. The Yankees thought of him at the time as a middle of the order type of pitcher, now I would argue that he is the ace. Sure, by definition that spot doesn't belong to him but he continues to shine. In 16 starts he has a 7-5 record and a 2.77 ERA. To go with that he has a complete game shut out. He is consistent, he has only given up 9 home runs so far this season and he gives the Yankees length and the best chance to win consistently. He is the example of the team with the better pitcher. Yankee fans have to feel good when he takes the mound, I know I do.

By definition, CC Sabathia is our ace. He has been everything to this team. He is a leader, he takes the responsibility and he is proud of that. He doesn't shy away from anything and he takes accountability. That is why we love him. His first 3 years here were nothing short of magical. To have at least 19 wins in all of those seasons and to get votes for the All Star game and to have your name in the MVP and Cy Young discussions is what makes you the leader of a pitching staff.

Since then CC hasn't looked quite like that, but he still has the same mindset. This year has been a rough start for him so I still call him my number two. I still believe in him and I think he is turning the corner. By the end of the season I believe CC is going to be vintage CC again and reclaim his spot. Just based off of his work ethic and desire to win alone he can make that happen. He may not be the same pitcher, listen to sports announcers and they already say he isn't the same pitcher and he needs to make adjustments to continue his success. As the race towards the postseason comes closer the gamer in him is going to come out and dominate.

Don't let the 5-5 record fool you, Andy Pettitte is still a front end starter, at least in my eyes. Others may not agree anymore. Maybe I am just biased, but Andy is always going to be a guy that I look to for guidance and to give the Yankees that pivotal game changing start. Sure, he is 41 and he has lingering injury issues and consistency has been a concern but he is a veteran. If there is anyone on this team that I trust with a game during a pennant race, it is him. Andy has pitched well despite his 4.20 ERA, his problem is he gets in trouble for one inning and that changes the game. He will figure it out, I have no doubt in that.

Then, there comes the back end of the rotation...the big question marks that find themselves in the hot seat.

David Phelps has pitched in some tough spots. He has been in the bullpen and the rotation and the juggling around cant be easy, but he has done his job. He has a 5-4 record and while he 4.01ERA isn't pretty he at least keeps the ball in the park because he has only given up 5 home runs. He's not the one I am concerned with right now.

The big issue is Phil Hughes. I am trying to find something good to write about and it just isn't there. The 3-6 record, 5.09ERA, 13 home runs and measly 76 innings pitched just scream for all of the wrong reasons. If he stays in this rotation he better turn it around in the second half and go 6-3 because there are two other guys ready to take his spot. This next start against the Texas Rangers will also be important. Hughes needs to mix up his pitching. He needs to hit the corners rather than leaving things up in the zone. He needs to use those breaking pitches to set up his fastball that he relies on too much. The Rangers have struggled this season offensively, so they aren't unbeatable. However, they are smart hitters. If he throws too many fastballs they will time those and make him pay. It's tie to keep the ball in the park and get ahead of pitchers, rather than racking up that pitch count early.

Ivan Nova is still on the team. The bench is short because the Yankees are carrying him as another long man. Hughes is on a short leash because Nova is another guy that can step in if he fails to put together a quality spot. Michael Pineda is also putting in good work down in the minor leagues. The scouts like what they see, and if he continues how can the Yankees not give him a shot? If he gives us the best chance to win then Hughes may be out of a job.

There is always someone else waiting to take your spot, whether it is baseball or real life. Everyone needs to do their part, front end and back end. But there are options out there, so it is time for the back end to show us what they have....GRIND IT, fellas!

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

 

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.