The Sommer Frieze

Mike Mussina vs. Jason Hammel tonight at the Stadium. After tonight’s game, the Yanks will play 18 of their next 20 on the road, with the only 2 home games against Boston in the middle of next week. April 21st is the only off-day until May 5th.

The game will be on ESPN 2, and Yankees fans hope for a different outcome than last week’s ESPN 2 game in which Mussina lost to Toronto 5-2. With a win, Mussina would tie Bob Gibson on the all-time list with 251. Mussina has the most wins of any pitcher who never had a 20-win season.

It would be a perfect night for Yankee bats to come alive. Hammel is 3-11, 6.70 in his major league career (33 g, 23 starts). He did go 1-0, 4.80 vs. the Yanks last year, while Moose was 0-1, 7.59 vs. the (at that time Devil) Rays.

I would guess that the lineup is the same. Giambi probably rests the sore groin again, Betemit plays 1B. Shelley Duncan concludes his two-game suspension.

If you weren’t able to listen live, last night’s Radio Show is available for podcast. Click the arrow at right for the 2-hour show. One thing discussed was the Catch-22 (thanks, Jason) of putting Joba in the rotation. Each of the Yanks three wins so far have been close nail-biters, and the Joba/Mo combo brought home the win (much like 1996 Mo/Wetteland or 1980 Ron Davis/Goose). Joel Sherman even writes about it in this morning’s N.Y. Post. If, instead of Joba, it was Farnsworth(less) in the 8th, how many of those games would the Yanks have blown? You need a replacement for Joba if you move Joba. As of now, who would that be?

Joba has pitched in 22 MLB games. The Yanks are 20-2 in those games. In 28 IP, Joba has given up one earned run (HR to Mike Lowell). His ERA is 0.32. He has 38 Ks and just seven walks. Contrast what has happened since Joba’s arrival to the fact that the Yanks were 6-36 last year when scoring three runs or less.

Phil Mushnick’s column states how two Heineken’s at the Stadium cost $21 and a Yankee Yearbook is $25. I have yearbooks from the 1970s at home. $1.50. If only my paycheck would grow at that percentage.

The Post reports that Joe DiMaggio’s home rookie jersey could sell for $350,000 at a Sotheby’s auction. Joltin’ Joe wore # 9 that year before switching to the famous #5, much like Mantle wore #6 in his rookie year before switching to #7.

Here is a link to someone trying to break down problems rather than say someone stinks. Real analysis (rather than the ANAL-ysis offered up by most whiners who offer nothing constructive). Interesting stuff. The author may or may not be correct, but his points are quite valid:

http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/04/what-is-wrong-with-kei-igawa/

Scranton now has a four-game series vs. Louisville (Reds’ AAA). Jeff Marquez goes tonight but tomorrow night could be interesting. Igawa vs. Reds’ top prospect Homer Bailey.

According to MLBTR, the Marlins bought Wes Helms off the Phils, and the Red Sox DFA’d Kyle Snyder.

Far be it from me to argue against a former major leaguer, but some of Mike Pagliarulo’s statements about Phil Hughes I find a little controversial, especially his statement that Hughes should still be in AA Trenton.

http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1215

Quality starts: Bryan Hoch of Bombers Beat throws out this stat on Chien Ming Wang: he has now gone at least 6.0IP in 68 of his 82 career starts. One thing to note: did you notice the high (for him) # of K’s Wang had yesterday? He’s mixing in a slider, the changeup, and some splitters. Reinventing himself as a pitcher. Interesting and also necessary. Nice to see him making adjustments as the league adjusts to him.