The Yanks and D-Rays will lock horns for the middle game of this season-opening three-game set today at 1:05pm in the Bronx, and this is a game I would've loved to have played hookey to see, but no such luck. Whether he was a good signing or not, whether he’s got anything left in the tank or not, whether he’s an elbow injury waiting to happen or not, Andy Pettitte is going to get a monster round of applause when he takes the mound tomorrow, and he deserves it.
He was a key player in the Yanks 4 rings, and he deserves a hero’s welcome. All nostalgia aside, Pettitte is very important to the Yanks, especially at this early point of the season with three question marks in the rotation. Including tomorrow, the Yanks play 8 games in 8 days. The pen can’t handle 4+ innings per game. They need Pettitte and probably Mussina too, to give them 6+ innings.
In a nutshell: Whereas Monday’s game saw all the stars aligned in the D-Rays favor (ace lefty on the hill facing Pavano), today’s game looks like a blowout for the Yanks. Jae Seo really doesn’t belong in the majors, and I guess technically he isn’t. He’s a soft-tossing righty, facing a lineup completely stacked with lefties, in a park that favors lefties.
Key to the game: Don’t sleep on the Rays. In years past, the Yanks would overlook a game like this, especially against the D-Rays. If they come out, work the count, take advantage of mistakes, and strike early and often this game will be a blowout. If they sit back and expect the game to come to them, they could let this one slip away. Keep manufacturing runs, don’t wait for someone to touch up the junk-baller with a long ball.
D-Rays blogs: Rays Index, DRays Bay.
Lineups: Doug probably gets his first start at first today (I’ll start spelling his name when he produces something in pinstripes). Damon is listed as day-to-day, but I can’t see him missing a game after a day off because of “sore calves,” I doubt Melky is in the lineup.
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I never understood why Steinbrenner let Pettitte go to Houston without at least making a decent counter offer. I'm glad to see Pettitte back in pinstripes. The next question is will his buddy Clemens be joining him in May or going to Boston? What do you think?
Off topic, but with George's little girl divorcing Swindal, what does that do to the succession plan for the Yankees after Steinbrenner is gone? Wasn't Swindal the heir apparent? Who runs the Yankees after Steinbrenner passes?
JJ,
I always thought Pettitte left because George never likes his own toys, he always wants to buy someone else's. As far as Clemens goes, I think if he comes back he goes to the Astros, Yanks or Sox, in that order. Most likely, the Stros.
I don't know who's going to take over when the big Stein steps down, or kicks the bucket. What I do know is that his son-in-law just pulled the biggest bone-headed move ever. If being next in line to run the Yanks isn't reason enough to keep your wife happy, I don't know what is.
I agree with what you say about George never liking his own toys.
While the'Stros are possibly the favorite because of geography in the Clemens sweepstakes, the Yankees would pay him much more. And looking at the starting lineup, Mussina and Pettitte are the only guys you can really count on. I wouldn't trust Pavano to stay healthy and still think he's awful. I'll bet Cashman is already talking to Clemens about a May debut in pinstripes.