Who are These Guys?

Remember when the Angels used to crush the Yanks with good pitching?  Most often it happened in October, but since 1996, the Yankees are a dismal 58-69 (.457) against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States and are one of the only (the only?) team the Yankees have a losing record against in that time.

Could things be about to change?  Check out these probables:

Tonight: RHP Anthony Ortega (0-1, 7.20) vs. RHP A.J. Burnett (2-0, 5.47)

Friday: RHP Jered Weaver (2-1, 2.45) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (2-1, 2.96)

Saturday: RHP Matt Palmer (1-0, 6.00) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (1-2, 4.73)

Sunday: LHP Joe Saunders (2-1, 3.51) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00)

I like the Sunday matchup a lot, from a fan’s perspective, but what happened to the Angels great pitching?  All that’s left right now are Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders (who are both unproven, long-term, so I can’t call them “great”).  I’m likin’ the way this series is shaping up to be.

Don’t disappoint me, Yanks!

Welcome back to Bobby Abreu, by the way.  He was a solid player for his time in New York.

A Look into the Phuture

6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2BB, 6K (Win)

Phil Hughes is back.

After a dismal 2008 season where he was supposed to solidify his spot at the top of the Yankee rotation, Hughes looks like the guy that was in the midst of throwing a no-hitter (7th inning, I believe) when he got hurt.

So after spending most of last year on the DL with rib and sight issues, Hughes’ star dimmed and he was no longer regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.  Before this season, Hughes was  5-8 with an ERA north of 4.50 in 21 games started.  He was lights out in spring training and mowing hitters down in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, so Hughes was given a shot when Chien-Ming Wang was put on the DL.

He was great last night.  He showed he belonged in the majors.  He didn’t have command of that huge curveball early on, but battled through it knowing that this was his shot to prove his worth.

I think it Hughes pitches like this for another start or two, he won’t see Scranton ever again.

Don’t Panic

Maybe Nick Swisher would be a good guy to have in the bullpen.

Look.  If I was told the Yankees could only win 18 games in a given season, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want all 18 of those wins to come against the Boston Red Sox.

But

That doesn’t mean I’m ready to give up on the season, the pithing staff, the lineup, or the bullpen after getting swept by Boston this past weekend.  I don’t like the Yankees getting swept by anyone, especially the Red Sox, but I don’t think the results this weekend are a sign of things to come from the Bronx Bombers.

Actually, I’ve been relatively happy with the “fight” I’ve seen from the lineup.  Aside from the couple of drubbings they’ve suffered this year, the Yanks have been in every game and haven’t really displayed that “I give up” look during the game that I’ve noticed in recent years.  As for the pitching, I think they’ll settle down.  The bullpen has been shaky to say the least, but the Yanks have some decent pitchers back there that will overcome this tough start.  Chien-Ming Wang is too good to get hit like this; once he works out whatever issues he has, I think he’ll be fine.  The highest batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage numbers against CC Sabathia over his career come in April.  So no, he’s not a waste (yet).

I am excited for Phil Hughes‘ start on Tuesday.  I really think (or is it hope?) he’s going to be great.  I think back to the roll he was on in Texas two years ago pitching a no-hitter in the 7th inning until he got hurt.  That’s the guy I envision.

It doesn’t help the Yanks that that A-Rod guy hasn’t played in 2009 yet.  So let’s all not rush to judgment on the 2009 Yanks.