Lots of stuff to talk about concerning the Yankees.
So last night Chien Ming Wang pitched for the first time since the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians, facing off with CC Sabathia. Wang was amazing. I mean..talk about putting several doubts to rest. I know Wang sucked in the ALDS but maybe it was for the better. It changed his outlook on pitching and he’s said that himself. He started changing speeds. He’s working more on his slider and changeups. I know many people were having a cow over Wang being just a groundball pitcher. They all thought that the end began for Wang with last year’s postseason. Well…9 strikeouts of the Indians while giving up no runs sure as heck proved that wrong. No, haters…the sinker is not Wang’s only way to bread and butter.
Another major criticism of Wang has been that he’s won 19 games 2 straight seasons because of the Yankees offense. They all seem to think Wang wins games 8-2 or 11-1 all the time. They think everytime the Yankees hitters hear the name “Wang” they go into a run scoring hysteria. Lets take a look at Wang’s stats for the season:
Wang is 5-0 so far:
W1: 3-2
W2: 2-0
W3: 4-1
W4: 9-5
W5: 1-0.
So 3/5 wins for him, we won by a margin of 2 runs or less, so Wang had no breathing room. Myth conquered.
next myth- Wang can’t win on the road. Ok, so the numbers did a pretty good job supporting that last season, but not so much this season. 3/5 Wang wins this season have been on the road, including t he complete game at Fenway, and that gem yesterday.
Watch out haters, Chien Ming Wang is the real deal. Ouch.
Now for a tougher subject; Jorge Posada.
I’m really worried about him. He has a tear in his right shoulder muscle. It happens a lot to pitchers and catchers but this is terrible for us. Posada is a leader, Posada is our everyday catcher and Posada can hit! We signed him to a 4 year contract for all these reasons and more. Cashman looks pretty bad right now. If this requires surgery, we will be in a lot of trouble this season. Molina has been a backup catcher forever, and plus…whomever will back him up won’t be as good as he is at it. Our offensive production just took a hit. It doesn’t help that Posada was close to tears when talking about it. Please, lets pray for Po, he means so much to us and we’re really gonna realize it now that he’s on the DL—-somewhere he has NEVER BEEN BEFORE.
Ok, next thing- how about the April Mariano Rivera is having?!
This has to be the best he’s been in April since he started doing this. He’s got 7 saves in 7 tries and a 0 ERA. He earned his 450th save yesterday and he’s not walked a batter in all his appearences. Wow. *knocks on wood* That’s our pride right there.
What’s wrong with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy?!?!?!
I know a lotta fans are typing up death threats to Brian Cashman as I sit here. They must think him a fool for letting go of Santana the savior for these scrubs, huh? Not so fast. I still believe Cashman will look like a genius really soon, just you watch. It takes patience and Cash knows that too. With Hughes, I think Phil will come around faster. Kennedy is having psycological issues with being in NY and the expectations being so high. He says it’s hard to try and get setteled, pitch well and turn on the TV and see his name being mentioned so much. That’s not a good thing. He needs to be talked with by the expert of “too much expectations, tough city” A-Rod. Talking to his pitching duplicate Mike Mussina and the perfect examples of clutch pitching Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. I also recommend he sits down with the inventer of the phrase “95% of the game is half mental”, Yogi Berra.
Patience everyone, patience.
So, how’s Joe Girardi doing so far?
That’s a tough one. I don’t agree with taking candy away from the players. I don’t think that will be the difference in making or not making the playoffs. I also think that while the media is annoying, there asre certain things Girardi shouldn’t keep from the media, like Joba’s hamstring…huh, Joba’s what? Exactly.
That’s it for now, whew…long one.
