Rotation Woes Are Of No Concern

Back from Syracuse. Went to see the fam for the holiday. We made our annual trip to the same old same old Easter day buffet my Aunt and Uncle enjoy taking us all too. I stuffed my face with ham, roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. It was about 2 o'clock on the Swatch watch when we left. I flipped my mom's radio to the Yankee game and lo and behold, 2 seconds into the broadcast I hear Sterling calling Paul Bako's 3-run HR off Rasner. Here we go again.
These Yankee games have been pretty much following the same formula. The starters fail to get out of the 5th, the bullpen does it's thing, and the offense has to bail the team out. I thought we might have a repeat of yesterday when the Bombers juiced the bases in the 8th, but the runs didn't materialize. Close, but no cigar.
After the post-game show I flipped my XM over to MLB Home Plate 175 for the rest of the ride. The host of the program, Mark Gray, made a comment that Yankee fans have to be worried about the performance of their starting rotation. Now it's no secret that the rotation has failed to deliver, but I don't see anything to worry about at this point. Looking back at the week that was, we had Pavano who pitched decently and likely would have lasted a little longer had the Yankee defense shown up. Errors change the course of a game and can over change a pitcher's fortune. Pettitte was pitching in the blistering cold and while he wasn't masterful, he left with a lead and was also the victim of some shoddy defense. Mussina just didn't have it. But he was arguably the 3rd best pitcher in the AL last year and there's no chance that he continues to flounder. Igawa pitched much better than his final line indicated. His off-speed pitches weren't working, but he was victim of a few ball fours that could have been strike threes and Mora's bloop double that scored 3 didn't exactly help him out much. That was a bad break. Had the Yankees gotten Mora out at second, the O's only score 2 and the inning ends. Perhaps his fortunes change. And then there's Rasner. Admittedly I didn't hear or see much of his outing. On the post-game show they mentioned that he was pitching with an open blister on his index finger, which was preventing him from finishing off his pitches. All things considered, I don't think the Yankee rotation, as a whole, pitched poorly. It's the first 5 games of the season. Factor in the cold weather and the canceled game, and you've got some pitchers who are already starting behind the 8-ball. There's no reason for concern.
The Yankees are now off to a domed stadium in Minnesota, and then to a warm weather climate in Oakland. This road trip is going to tell us a lot about the make up of the current Yankee rotation. There will be no adverse weather. I fully expect to see some quality starts from the guys this week. If not, Cashman better get on the phone with the Hendricks brothers and offer the whole farm to the Rocket.
The Yankee offense has been outstanding. And considering that they've yet to play a complete game with their entire lineup, it's even more impressive. It looks like Damon will be back in CF tomorrow. Unfortunately for the Yanks, Matsui is going on the DL. The cold weather hasn't been too kind to the hamstrings. Minnesota, her we come.
Peace, love and Pinstripes.
J