They're still in the AL East? Really? (Photo by Reuters Pictures).

The New York Yankees (34-20) just completed the first third of their season and they’re finally facing off against the Toronto Blue Jays (31-24).  I did a terrible job of time management, so this series preview is going to be rather abbreviated.

Starting Pitchers

RHP A.J. Burnett (6-2, 3.28) vs. LHP Brett Cecil (5-2, 3.81)

LHP Andy Pettitte (7-1, 2.48) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (5-2, 3.14)

RHP Javier Vazquez (4-5, 6.06) vs. RHP Brandon Morrow (4-4, 6.00)

Notes:

• Talk about some pitching matchups.  They all have the potential to be low scoring affairs, even the third game.  Vazquez and Morrow are both coming off solid outings.  For a more detailed look at the probable starters, head on over here.
• Pettitte is going for win number 200 as a Yankee.  It’s also been thrown around that if he keeps it up, he could be a candidate to start in the All-Star game.
• The Blue Jays lead the majors in home runs with 91 dingers in 55 games.  Boston comes in second with 71.  The Yankees take seventh with 59 homers.  The Yankees have outscored the Jays though, 301 to 283.
• The Yankees’ starters ERA sits at 3.60, good for sixth best in baseball.  The Jays’ starters have an ERA of 4.19, 16th best in the bigs.  When it comes to bullpen ERA, both teams are in the bottom half, as Toronto is 18th with a 4.27 ERA and NY 20th with a 4.42 ERA.  Look for starting pitching to dictate the outcome of this series.
• Toronto is just 15-13 at home this season while the Yankees are 15-13 on the road.  Talk about the numbers matching up, huh?

Yankees Keys to the Series

• Can the Yankees pitchers stay away from the long ball?  They’re going to need to if they want to keep the Jays’ offense at bay.
• I don’t know why I feel this way, since the numbers say otherwise (vs. LHP / vs. RHP), but I always feel like good lefty starting pitchers give the Yankees a hard time.  Hopefully they keep it up and jump all over Cecil and Romero.
• Javy gets a lot of flak from the NY media, but he’s thrown well over his last five appearances.  Hopefully he keeps the ball rollin’.

Expected Outcome

I’m on the fence about whether we’ll take one or two of three.  With the way they just demolished the Orioles it’s hard to expect losses, but I just don’t know.  Put me down for a Pettitte loss sandwiched between AJ and Javy wins.  That way Pettitte is set up to win his 200th game at home against the Astros. Talk about a storyline.

Just because I said that, I fully expect him to win on Saturday and prove me wrong.  Oh well, that’s life.

Also, I don’t know if anyone has been confused by my picture choices in the past couple of weeks, but I’ve been trying to find funny/awkward pictures and make a joke in the alternate text (when you hover over the picture with your mouse). (a) I don’t know if the alt text works for anyone (b) They’re really never funny.

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Rob wrote about it earlier and there were some insightful comments by our readers, but I’m just going to talk about the Jorge Posada situation a little more.  But first, a little background info.

As everyone knew coming into this season, Posada’s bat was going to be a key to the Yankees’ success.  We also knew that, more importantly, his health would be something to keep an eye on as the season progressed.

After playing in 144 games in 2007, Posada missed most of the 2008 season with shoulder problems that ended in surgery.  Last season, Jorge bounced back and played in 111 games, starting in 97 of them.  That’s a pretty high number considering he missed 22 games in the month of May with a hamstring problem.  When he returned from the DL, he never looked back and was an integral piece of the Yankee puzzle that lead to a World Series victory.

Posada came into this season with no real nagging injuries, but questions about his durability, and the durability of the other members of the Core Four, were abound.  And you know the story from there.

So here we stand, Jorge Posada will be the full-time DH for the next week or so, possibly catching a game here and there.  BBD reader “theboogiedown” said:

“this signifies the most irrefutable demise of the core four.”

It’s entirely true.  We all knew this day would come, but it doesn’t make it any easier to cope with.  Everyone usually stresses the significance of moving Derek Jeter from shortstop, but moving Posada from behind the plate is just as significant in my eyes.  He’s been a stalwart for the Yankees at the most important position on the field, and we may never see another player like him don the pinstripes.

So, finally on to the reason I felt compelled to make this post.  Flip Bondy of the NY Daily News wrote about how Posada would resentfully become the Yankees’ DH.  In it he mentions how Posada is the “emotional core of his team” and how he’ll always see himself as a catcher but soon will realize that it’s in the team’s best interest for him to be the designated hitter.

He then goes on to compare Posada to former Yankee outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui.  And here is where it gets dicey.

“The DH may forever represent an unwanted demotion for older sluggers – Matsui, too, felt that way – but it is the fate of almost everyone, if they’re good enough to hang around. Thurman Munson was spared this indignity, in tragic fashion, dying at age 32. But Yogi Berra can only wish he had a DH spot as safe haven, instead of roaming the outfield at the end of his career.”

I see the parallels in wanting to compare Jorge to the elite Yankee catchers of past, but did Bondy seriously just say that Munson was lucky to die tragically before being asked to be the designated hitter of the Yankees?  I’m sure (at least I really hope) he said that tongue-in-cheek, but even so, I can’t help but be bothered by those words.  I just find them unbelievably disrepectful to Thurman Munson and the Munson family.

Thurman Munson is my all-time favorite Yankee and there will never be anyone like him ever again.  I was born ten years after his death, but still I feel strongly about the way he played and the way he represented the Yankees.  He understood how lucky he was to be a ball player and really loved being a Yankee.  He went about his job very dutifully, but still played with a passion that eventually earned him the captaincy of the New York Yankees.

Jorge Posada plays the game as Munson did, with the same sense of duty and passion.  They both understand that the team is more important than any one player and Posada, as would Munson, will accept whatever role his manager puts him in.  He may still think he should be behind the plate, but he’ll approach the DH spot with the same intensity as he would his catching duties, there is no doubt in my mind about that.

The designated hitter may not seem as important as your every day catcher, but there’s no differentiating him from any other hitter in the lineup.  Yes, becoming a DH may appear as a “demotion” to an aging player, but if that role allows a player to continue contributing to a team’s win total, then how can it be looked down upon?

Posada will understand this.  He’s going to approach the DH role with as much intensity and passion as he would if he were the everyday catcher.  He’s going to keep his head high and represent the Yankees as best he can, and he’s going to do it until he can’t do it no more or until he goes the way of Hideki Matsui.  And when he finally does call it quits, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive catchers, not designated hitters, in baseball history.

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Photo by Reuter Images

I know last night’s loss to the Twins was a bit deflating, but let’s not overlook the fact that the Yankees took two of three on the road from a very good Twins team.  Also worth noting, Target Field looked fantastic.

You know what other stadium looks fantastic? Yankee Stadium, and that’s where the Yankees will be playing their next seven ball games.  They open up the home stand with a four game series against the Cleveland Indians who have the third worst record in baseball (17-28).  This season has been tough to swallow for Cleveland as they’ve scored the fifth fewest runs and have allowed the tenth most runs in the majors.  Hopefully the Yankees, and their sputtering offense, can take advantage of both of those facts and take care of business this weekend.

There has, however, been some bright spots for Cleveland.  Starting pitchers Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot have thrown very well for the Indians, registering ten of Cleveland’s seventeen wins.  The Indians bullpen has also been pretty strong with Tony Sipp and Chris Perez sporting ERAs south of 2.25, allowing less than a hit an inning and have a combined K:BB ratio of 35:20.

On the offensive side, it’s all about outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.  Coming into Friday’s game he’s hitting .302/.412/.483 with a team leading 7 HR, 25RBI and 9SB.  He does all of this while playing solid defense in right field, posting a 12.5 UZR/150 so far this season.  You’ll be watching one of the most underrated players in baseball this weekend, so keep your eyes peeled.  Also worth noting, Austin Kearns and Travis Hafner are having solid seasons at the plate, posting OPS’s of 840 and 830 respectively.

Probable Pitchers

RHP Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.45) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (5-1, 2.72)

LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.25) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.86)

RHP Justin Masterson (0-5, 6.13) vs. RHP A.J. Burnett (5-2, 3.55)

RHP Mitch Talbot (6-3, 3.73) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (6-1, 2.62)

Notes:

• The Indians have two key parts of their team on the disabled list: SS Asdrubal Cabrera and CF Grady Sizemore.  This team wasn’t expected to really compete in the AL Central this season, but these injuries make this weak team even weaker.
• Great news for the Yankees as CF Curtis Granderson is expected to come off the disabled list on Friday.  Brian broke down what the Yankees might do to make space for him.
• With Alfredo Aceves unable to pitch, the Yankees signed a familiar face. RHP Chad Gaudin is back with the Yankees to take over the long relief role and threw pretty well last night.
• This weekend marks the end of a tough couple of weeks, and the beginning of an easier stretch of games for the Yankees.  They play the Indians, Orioles, Blue Jays and Astros in their next sixteen games.  Those four teams have a combined winning percentage of .396.

Yankees Keys to the Series

• Hitting with runners in scoring position.  The Yankees struggled to score runs in Minnesota, let’s hope they turn that around.
• The starting pitching turned it around in Minnesota behind strong starts by Burnett and Pettitte.  With the way the offense is currently hitting, the pitching is going to have to keep churning out quality starts.
• The bullpen.  Mariano Rivera converted his two save chances on Wednesday, hopefully he continues to build on that success.  Also, David Robertson is currently riding an 8 1/3 scoreless innings streak.  I know some of those outings have come in low leverage situations, but I feel like Robertson is returning to last season’s form.

Expected Outcome

I think the Yankees will make quick work of the Indians this weekend, taking three of four.  The premier pitching matchup is tonight, with young power arms Carmona and Hughes on the hill, and the Yankees have hit Carmona pretty well in the past.  Sabathia and Burnett have VERY favorable matchups against two of Cleveland’s weakest pitchers, so the Yankees seem likely to win those games.  The Indians are one of five teams that Pettitte has a career record under .500 against, but with the way he threw against the Twins it’s hard to bet against him.

The Yankees nearly shutout the Mets tonight behind strong showings by Javier Vazquez and Joba Chamberlain. Kevin Russo had a great game at the dish and knocked in the winning run.  Mariano Rivera came in and made it interesting in the ninth but shut the door.

My scorecards are not meant for National League rules, so I apologize for not replacing each pitching on the left hand side.  Girardi and Manuel also really tried to ruin my pitchers block, but I had just enough lines.  As always, please let me know if you have any comments/suggestions on future scorecards or if I messed something up in this one.  I think I might try and incorporate color into future scorecards, but that’s just an idea that popped into my head, so who knows.

I don’t know about you guys, but this is exactly what I needed after a terrible three games of baseball.  Your New York Yankees (25-16) are headed to Flushing to face off with the New York Mets (20-22) to start off interleague play for the 2010 season.

As I’m sure you know, the Yankees have lost four of five and are kind of struggling of late.  The Mets aren’t in much better shape though, having lost seven of their last nine.  In all honesty I’d toss the records aside and expect some good baseball this weekend; more often then not, the two teams split the season series.

Probable Starters

Javier Vazquez, RHP (2-4, 8.01) vs. Hisanori Takahashi, LHP (3-1, 3.12)

Phil Hughes, RHP (5-0, 2.25) vs. Mike Pelfrey, RHP (5-1, 3.02)

CC Sabathia, LHP (4-2, 3.43) vs. Johan Santana, LHP (3-2, 3.72)

Notes:

• As Brian alluded to earlier, the Yankees starting pitchers have seen some regression in the past couple of games.  Let’s hope that trend continues because Javy is due for a perfect game or something.
• Met’s starter for Friday night is Hisanori Takahashi.  This is his first career start after pitching out of the bullpen so far this season.  He’s been very effective out of the bullpen, pitching multiple innings when needed.  He isn’t stretched out very much and is only expected to throw 80-85 pitches.  Hopefully the Yankees jump on him early and force the Mets to go to their bullpen.  Oliver Perez is expected to be the long man tonight.
• Kevin Russo, who was recently called up,  is starting in left field tonight for the Yankees.  He’s a utility player in Scranton who swings the bat pretty well.  Here’s to hoping he plays well in his limited action this next week.
• Talk about premier lefthanders; you’ll see the two best left handed starters in the same game on Sunday.

Yankees Keys to the Series

• Pitching, pitching, pitching.  Both the starters and the bullpen need to get back on track.
• The Yankees need to get on the board early rather than late.  The past two games have been completel blow outs if you ignore what they’ve done in the ninth inning.
• STAY HEALTHY.  Everyone needs to cross their fingers and toes so that the Yankees make it out of this series of National League rules without any further injuries.

Expected Outcome

The home team usually wins two out of three at home in the Subway Series and I think we’re going to see that this weekend.  There are great pitching matchups this weekend, so these games could go either way, but I just see the Mets winning two out of three.  Betting on Javy is like flipping a coin, but I think he’s going to throw well tonight and not win.  Put me down for a Phil Hughes loss and then CC Sabathia will play stop-gap and dominate on Sunday.

Photo by Getty Images

I find it crazy that we’re going to have played the Red Sox eight times and played an interleague series before we face the Blue Jays once this year, but I digress.  The New York Yankees (24-13) have taken four of six from the Boston Red Sox (19-19) this season going into the miniaturized two game series later tonight.  In the most recent meeting at Fenway both teams scored a combined 42 runs in three games, so let’s just say the pitching hasn’t been very great when these two teams get together.

That statement might not be entirely true, as there have been some flashes of brilliance in a few games (see Phil Hughes), but in general it’s been a toss up on whose going to get lit up each game.  This series should prove differently though, or at least it has the potential too.  In his last outing against the Sox, Phil Hughes threw seven innings of two run ball, striking out seven along the way.  After a rough start to the season, Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a gem against the Blue Jays his last time out, allowing just three hits and one run over seven innings.  Tonight’s game could be a solid pitchers duel, or both starters could throw a clunker, we’ll just have to wait and see.  I expect solid outings from both pitchers though.

Tuesday night’s matchup is a battle of big name, big contact starters.  CC Sabathia will be throwing against Josh Beckett, and these two can be nearly unhittable on any given night.  Sabathia will be looking to bounce back after a poor outing against the Detroit Tigers.  He has two no-decisions this season against the Red Sox, with the first being a bad start on Opening Day and the second being his rain shortened affair where he was throwing the ball pretty well.  Beckett is 0-1 in two outings this season against the Yankees, with both being poor starts.  In his last start he completely lost the strike zone and hit Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter, while brushing back Francisco Cervelli twice.  Things could get messy on Tuesday if Beckett plunks any more Yankees, so keep an eye on that.

The Yankees come into this short series taking two of three from the Twins, having lost the final game in rather tragic fashion.  Hopefully they can put that game behind them quickly and show up to play tonight.

Probable Starters

RHP Phil Hughes (5-0, 1.38) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-1, 6.35)
LHP CC Sabathia (4-2, 3.71) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (1-1, 7.46)

Notes:

• Rob alluded to it before the series with the Twins, but it’s worth repeating.  Mark Teixeira is back to his old self.  In the three games against the Twins he was 6 for 12 with a home run and four RBI.  If the Yankees are going to continue to win ball games with players on the DL, then Tex is going to have to keep producing.
• Due to the rainout in Detroit, the Yankees were faced with a decision about their rotation.  Manager Joe Girardi opted to skip Javier Vazquez’s start and let the rest of the rotation throw on normal rest.  Brian pointed out an important problem with skipping Javy’s start, and I totally agree.  The guy is here to throw 200 innings, just let him go out there and figure it out.
• Injured Yankees News: Nick Johnson might undergo wrist surgery that would keep him out of action until July.  UPDATE: He will undergo surgery.  On a happier note, Curtis Granderson ran pain free.  There is still no timetable for his return, but the good news is appreciated; I miss him.
• Jorge Posada took a foul ball off his foot on Sunday and will not be in the lineup tonight.  Frankie Cervelli will be behind the plate and batting sixth tonight.  I’m curious how he’s going to play batting behind Cano tonight.

Yankees Keys to Series

• If you couldn’t tell by my blabbering above, I’m big on the starting pitching in these two games.  Hughes and Sabathia need to deliver.
• Off to the races?  It’s no secret that the Yankees (and everyone else) like to run on Boston’s catcher Victor Martinez. If the Yankees can get runners on and stay active on the bases then their chances of winning obviously improve.
• Battle of the bullpens.  The late innings relievers have been great for both teams, but the same cannot be said for middle relief.  Forcing moves to the bullpen early favor both teams, so let’s hope it works in our favor.  Also, Girardi loves Damaso Marte, so hopefully he delievers when he’s called upon to get the lefties out.

Expected Outcome

The Yanks will win one of two.  I see Hughes finally losing a game this season, but I don’t think it’s going to be ugly.  Matsuzaka will just out duel him for the victory.  CC Sabathia will outpitch Josh Beckett Tuesday night, but I expect another close game.

Not a great showing by the Yankees this afternoon as they were shutout for the second time in as many days.  With today’s loss, the Yankees fall to 1-2 on days when I keep score.  We’re gonna have to work on that..

According to Joel Sherman, the Yankees have called up first baseman Juan Miranda for tonight’s game against the Detroit Tigers.  Miranda, who bats lefty, will most likely platoon with Marcus Thames in the DH spot until Nick Johnson returns from his wrist injury.

Miranda is off to a so-so start in Scranton this season, hitting .260 with 5 HR and 15 RBI.  The batting average is not what we’re used to seeing from Miranda, but he’s backed that up with a .371 OBP through 28 games.  He’ll be used as the DH against right handers, and Thames will continue DH-ing against lefties.  Miranda’s big lefty bat will be a welcome addition to a team with Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson on the DL.

We may see Miranda in the lineup tonight with right handed pitcher Rick Porcello on the mound, but the lineups have yet to be released.  I’ll post an update here when the lineup is set.

UPDATE (3:38): No Miranda tonight, Alex Rodriguez will be DH-ing and Ramiro Pena will play third.

No word on who is being sent down to make room for Miranda, but likely suspects are Kevin Russo, Boone Logan and Ivan Nova.  I assume the Yankees will keep Nova up for one more game just in case Javier Vazquez throws another stinker tonight.  Russo appears to be the most likely candidate since Robinson Cano is healthy and has started the past two games.

UPDATE (6:04): With news arising that Alfredo Aceves will be headed to the DL tomorrow (back injury), it appears the Yankees have not called up Juan Miranda.  This is possibly because they didn’t want to send down another reliever and diminish the bullpen any further.  A roster move will happen tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled.

UPDATE (6:29): Apparently Miranda’s plane had trouble and kept him from getting to Detroit on time.  In other news, the game tonight has been rained out and they’ll play two tomorrow.  The first game starts at 1:05.

Photo Credit to AP

The theme of the series with the Tigers?  Old faces in new places.

The New York Yankees (21-9) are headed to Detroit to play a four game series with the Tigers (17-14) to start off this week.  As I’m sure everyone already knows, three former Yankees currently call Comerica Park home.  Tigers’ left fielder Johnny Damon, center fielder Austin Jackson and relief pitcher Phil Coke were all a part of the Yankee organization last season.  All three of them have gotten off to good starts with their new team.

Ajax is off to smoking hot start with a triple slash of .371/.420/.508.  He’s scored a team leading 24 runs, has three triples, one homer, nine RBI and six stolen bases.  Detroit has to be beyond pleased with his production thus far.  Damon is doing what he’s done his entire career, hitting .294/.409/.431.  He has a team leading 21 walks and is right behind Jackson with 24 runs scored.  No longer at the lefty friendly Yankee Stadium, Damon only has one home run so far this season.  Lastly, Phil Coke is also off to a great start in the bullpen for the Tigers.  In 15.1 innings, he has a 1.76 ERA and 12 strike outs.

In the non-former Yankees department, Miguel Cabrera is having one heck of a season so far.  He’s batting .371 with 7 home runs and a league leading 33 RBI.  On the other side of the spectrum, let’s just say Detroit’s starting pitching has been a bit shaky this season.  It’s never comforting when Dontrelle Willis has been your most consistent pitcher; Willis sports a 1-1 record with a 3.99 ERA.  Ace of the staff Justin Verlander had a bad string of starts to begin the season, but after his past three outings appears to be getting back to his old form.

Probable Starters

RHP Sergio Mitre (0-0, 2.79) vs. LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.99) LHP Brad Thomas (1-0, 5.40)

RHP Javier Vazquez (1-3, 9.78) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50)

RHP Phil Hughes (4-0, 1.69) vs. RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74)

LHP CC Sabathia (4-1, 3.04) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50)

Notes:

• Sergio Mitre is taking Andy Pettitte‘s turn in the rotation because Andy was battling some inflammation after his last start.  He’s thrown well in limited action this season, so hopefully he keeps it up.  According to Mark Feinsand, Mitre will be on a 65-75 pitch limit.
• Girardi skipped Vazquez’s last start because of how ineffective he’s been, so hopefully he made some progress with his mechanics during his bullpen sessions this past week.  He’s gotta turn it around eventually, doesn’t he?
• Did you know that Brett Gardner extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single on Sunday?  I don’t think the ESPN guys announced it, so there ya go.  I’m curious about this one, so let’s take a little poll.  Who will have a better four game series, Austin Jackson or Brett Gardner?
• With Jorge Posada being deemed healthy, Girardi has a tough decision to make behind the plate.  Francisco Cervelli has been doing everything right for the Yankees, so it’s hard to take him out.  On Sunday, Posada DH’d while Cervelli donned the catcher’s gear.  If you ask me, splitting the starts at catcher and DH-ing Posada on other days is the best option right now for the club.

• Randy Winn has strung together a couple of nice starts while Curtis Granderson has been out.  If he keeps this up, will he replace Marcus Thames against lefties?  Winn has shown that he can provide both offense and defense when in the game, and after another game in which Thames’ defense hurt the team, I think I’d rather have Winn in the field and Thames on the bench, even against lefties.

Yankees Keys to the Series:

• I know this can be said for any series, but starting pitching will be key.  Both teams have question marks all over the place for their starters in this series, so whoever gets more from their starters will most likely win this series.  Also, that Sabathia/Verlander matchup should be sweet, can’t wait.
• Will Mark Teixeira continue mashing?  The Yankees will need to score runs against Detroit, so hopefully the middle of the lineup delivers.
• Can Phil Hughes go 30-0?  Obviously not, but with the way he’s pitching right now, if he’s on his game then the opposition doesn’t really stand a chance.

Expected Outcome

Put me down for another series win.  I’m more optimistic about Mitre than most, so I expect him to keep us in the game on Monday.  I also think that Vazquez is going to finally figure it out.  Hughes will finally lose (sorry everybody) and CC will outduel Justin Verlander.

Photo Credit to Getty Images

After a 10-3 drubbing of the Red Sox last night, the talk of the town was on the health of the Yankees instead of the fantastic pitching by Phil Hughes.  Coming into this series the Yankees had their share of dings and dents, but after game one the list has gotten longer.

In the 5th inning, last night, Marcus Thames pinch hit for Nick Johnson, which promptly raised a few eyebrows.  It had appeared that nothing serious had become of NJ, but as the game progressed news broke that NJ was battling a wrist injury and it forced him from the game.  Johnson is going to be put on the DL.  Utilityman Kevin Russo is being called up to take his spot on the 25-man roster.  Russo plays all over the infield and has even seen some time in the outfield this season in Scranton.  With various Yankees being dinged up, Russo’s positional flexibility will be very helpful.

Later in the game Boston starter Josh Beckett really struggled with his command and hit Robinson Cano on the inside of his left knee.  It was definitely unintentional, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Robbie was forced to leave the game.  Cano is not expected to go on the DL, but he is not in the lineup today and probably will sit again tomorrow.  Ramiro Pena will start at second while Cano is out. UPDATE: According to Mark Feinsand, Cano will take batting practice and may play in today’s game.  If I were Girardi I would err on the side of caution and let Cano have a day to rest, but that’s just me. UPDATE (2:55): Cano is the DH today and will bat 5th.

Joe Pawlikowski at River Ave Blues did a great job breaking down the Yankees possible roster moves to counter their injuries.  I’d say the best option is for a rainout today; the Yanks could use a day off to recover.

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On a positive note, did everyone thoroughly enjoy the Phil Hughes show last night?  I sure did.  I really can’t get over how great he has been this season.  Last night’s line was 7IP 7H 2R 1BB 7K.  Always great when a start like that raises his ERA to 1.69.  Let’s just sit back and enjoy watching him develop right in front us.  From Ben Shpigel, “Phil Hughes is youngest Yankee to win first four decisions of a season as SP since Whitey Ford (21) began 1950 at 9-0.”  That’s not too shabby eh?