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Agree completely, Mussina second stinker in 6 days (following an extra inning affair) is a disaster.

We did get clarity though. The AL east is out of the question now. 6 games back with 36 to play. It's all about Seattle and being 2.5 back and 8 more tough games on the docket, we need to take 5 of these games at a minimum.

Betemit should be the 1st baseman vs. righties, period. Phillips should be a defensive replacement only.

Peter,

Do you see the Yankees breaking the "Chamberlain Rule" if he threw less than say 15-20 pitches the night before?

Seems a little excessive if he throws one inning and 9 pitches that he's not available the next day.

Maybe I'm just being greedy...

Tim- Coudn't agree more on Betemit, he hits righties well and deserves some time there (Or, I will say it again, how about Damon at first so more?)

Tripp- I have a hard time with the "Joba Rules" especially when as you point out, he only throws 9 pitches in an inning. But, he is 21, had arm trouble before and they set his innings cap at 130 for the year. It is a delicate balancing act the Yankees are doing with him- have him contribute in 2007, but don't do anything to damage 2008 and beyond.

As much as I wish they would be more aggressive with him, I can't argue with that approach.

Why burn Joba in a blowout anyway?

The way the game went they should have assigned one less pitcher to take all the lumps and go from there.

The Angels can hit so with another game today, to your original point, you should have saved one relief pitcher.

Lackey pitches for the Angels tonight, fresh off his spanking he got from the Sox, should be a good matchup. Both teams can hit and two good pitchers going.

Come on. Salvage the last game in Anaheim, beat up on Detroit, and you end up having a very successful road trip. Come back and beat Boston in a home series and suddenly you're 2 games back with a month to play. I'm sure the Yankees and Red Sox aren't conceding that the race is over.

Peter, I'm fine with giving Damon more AB's at first base but I would assume Betemit would be the better defensive option.
Tripp- I'd be more interested in breaking the Farnsworth rule so Viz doesn't have to pitch in blowouts. That is really catching up with us. He's had to throw 2 or 3 times in the last two weeks because of the dancing around Torre has to do with Joba & Farns.

BL- I think people were questioning why Joba didn't pitch on Monday in the 6-6 game after only throwing 9 pitches the day before more than anything.

Corey- If only it is that easy!

Tim- Since neither one has really ever played there, I assume you are right. It will be very interesting to see what happens in September when Mientkiewicz will be back and can be the defensive caddy the Yankees seem to love. I hope they give the majority of the AB's to Betemit or Damon in the interim.

We're 13 games into the 20 game stretch from hell and the Yanks are 8-5. I thought 1 out 3 in LA would be okay so I can't complain too much. 11 games was my minimum target but with Seattle piling the pressure on it doesn't seem like enough. Seattle has 4 at Texas and the Angels at home so it gets much tougher for them. It will be an interesting 8 days.

Great point, Tim. I think everyone would have taken 11-9 over those 20 games so they have done well so far.