His K/9 stats need to come up some still, but I think that will happen soon as he appears to be getting into full season mode after his injury. He was throwing strikes all night long, which is exactly what you need to do to a patient lineup like the Yankees. Don’t let them get into hitters counts. Take the game to them.

Just hope it continues.

That’s usually how it works, isn’t it?

Half games are due to more losses than the 1st place team.

I forget who it was, or where it was posted. Someone on the boards a few days ago noted that our BABIP against was on pace to be the best in history. So that has to come back to reality obviously.

I don’t know about the Yankees. I think they are making a mistake continuing to go with Giambi, when Duncan can probably put up better numbers and is a viable defensive first baseman.

If you look at the Yankees right now, the defense is just a mess. Jeter doesn’t cover the ground he used to cover. Cano is good defensively, and A-Rod obviously is too when he’s healthy. But Giambi is a disaster, Matsui has terrible range, Damon is looking slower and slower in center.

Pitching wise, the Yankees are running on fumes. Wang is the real deal, and a legitimate #1 shut down starter. But Mussina is pitching way above his head, and that is going to correct eventually. Pettite looks old. I just don’t understand why they are bringing Kennedy back this quick. Rasner seems to be doing good enough, and at least they should find out more about him before they pull him from the rotation.

I don’t know if it is impatience, or just poor decision making. But the Yankees continue to make baffling moves with their roster. This is why I turned my back on them circa-2000, ironically as they were finishing up their amazing world series run. Either Cashman is not nearly as smart as people make him out to be, or ownership continues to stick their nose in where it doesn’t belong. I can’t think of a player decision they have made lately, besides resigning A-Rod, which made the team better. Everything seems to be done out of desperation. Hate to say it as a former Yanks supporter, but the Red Sox are far better at player evaluation these days. Over 162 games, the Yanks cannot keep up with the Red Sox in 2008.

Florida also has a quirky ballpark that the Marlins can use to their advantage. The Rays don’t have that, but they have played so well so far that it hasn’t mattered.

We need to raise our ballpark quirk rate (BpQR) before it’s too late. Apparently the catwalks just aren’t getting the job done anymore.