August 12, 2010

Bullpen Coming Around

We're about in the middle of August. It's stretch run time in baseball. It seems as though we have 3 team race in the AL East. The Yanks had a chance to put nails in Boston's coffin last weekend but didn't do it.

I'm not upset about it though. I was happy with the split. Boston had the advantage in the pitching match-ups in 3 of the 4 games. Plus at the same time, Tampa was losing so although nothing was gained, nothing was lost either. And it could be said that when you're the leader just taking days of the calendar without relinquishing any of your lead is a victory in itself.

The Yanks are kind of treading water at this point in the season. They've looked a little off kilter since the All-Star Break. The offense has been inconsistent and the starting pitching has been average at best.

One positive, though, is that the bullpen has turned into a strength in recent weeks.

It seems that the addition of Kerry Wood, probably the least heralded of the Yankee deadline signings, has had the most impact. He hasn't done anything eye-popping but he's given Girardi one more option in the latter innings. At the same time, Dave Robertson, has been pitching his ass off. This seems to have taken some pressure off of Joba. Now Joba isn't exclusively used in the high pressure 8th inning set-up role. He's been called on in the 6th or 7th of some games, giving him a chance to relax and just pitch without the weight of the world on every pitch.

You also can't ignore the role Boone Logan has pitched. He's handled the LOOGI role excellently. With Damaso Marte out, the Yankees needed someone to fill that role and Logan has done it. Logan pitched poorly early in the season but after a demotion to Scranton, he seems to have righted whatever problems he had.

Plus, Alfredo Aceves appears to be nearing a return to action. By playoff time, the Yanks bullpen could be very formidable indeed.

Winning 1 of 2 with Texas in Texas was an acceptable outcome. Especially considering Tex didn't play and Cano didn't start 1 of the games. We'll take it. Now we can go to Kansas City and punish them for being...well...Kansas City.

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