There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Mike Mussina is done as a pitcher, and his most recent start certainly makes it less clear. After two rough starts against the Red Sox, Mussina bounced back with a 7 inning 2 run performance against the offense heavy White Sox. His start before the two games with the Red Sox was a 6 inning 1 run effort against Tampa. So the question remains, is Mussina done as a pitcher?
My take on it is that he's just getting older. He's going to have some rough starts and he's going to have some good starts. In fairness, his first start against the Red Sox, a 5.2 inning effort giving up 4 runs, was not awful, and his first start of the season, another 5.2 inning effort with 3 runs against Toronto wasn't either. His one awful start was his second game against the Red Sox where he lasted 3 innings and gave up 5 runs. Even then, his troubles with the Red Sox were really just troubles with Manny Ramirez. So is Mussina done? I'm not convinced that he is.
If you're counting on Mussina to be your number 2 starter (as he is in the depth chart) then yes, you're in for some dissapointment. However, if you're looking for Moose to be a 4th or 5th starter, give some quality starts, keep the Yankees in some games, and help coach the youngsters, then you will get exactly what you want. I still believe he can pitch in this league, just not like he used to.
I do have some concerns about Mussina. Namely, the fact that he has given up 7 homeruns this season. The two runs he gave up yesterday were off two solo homeruns, and the one run he gave up against Tampa was also off a solo homerun. When his curve is flat, it gets hit hard. I was initially concerned yesterday when the YES guns had him topping out at 80 mph on the fastball and was throwing his change and curve in the mid-60's range, but then they had Mariano topping out at 87 mph, so I think it was just the gun. Is Mussina done? I say give him a chance.
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7 comments:
personally, yes i dont like the man at all. i dont think he should be pitching for the yankees.. but, if hes there and they dont have anyone, why not. maybe stienbrenner lit a fire under him(doubt it but you never know). As much as i dislike him if he can string a couple together keep him... if not then i say its time to find someone new. respect posada's gangster last night.. cano will come around just need some warmer weather.
I don't disagree. He's going to be really hit or miss, but if he can give us a few quality starts to get us going here, it would be greatly appreciated. I wouldn't mind seeing what Rasner can do. By the sound of things, he's tearing it up in the minors.
i am the biggest opponent of mussina in the rotation.. the yankees need someone to eat innings in the pen (espec. with IPK and Hughes) and if rasner keeps pitching well then why not give the kid a chance?
One big thing I noticed last night... Moose wasn't shaking off Posada.
Maybe I just think too highly of the Yankees, but he's not Yankee material anymore. If he were a coach, I'd say "WoW, the Yanks have one of the greats coaching the youngsters, but in the rotation for the New York Yankees??? At this stage when he's unreliable??? No way! The Yankees are "America's Baseball Team" and he's NOT Yankee caliber in my book. Heck, I wouldn't want him on my beloved Tribe either!
I say we give him a few more starts. A few more starts and we will be able to better determine what kind of pitcher he can be in the Al East.
That's cool. I wish he was starting against my Tribe this weekend instead of Petitte and Wang. That way we could spank him with some runs!!!! Oh well, at least Kennedy is starting Saturday. You guys know I lOVE the Yanks, except this weekend of course. BRING ON THE BUGS!!!!!
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