Moose Mauled

[yankees228]

Originally Posted by MANNYHOF24

Pettitte last year gave up like 30 more hits than innings pitched. Mussina velocity has dropped more than other pitchers that are older than him, and Pavano had one good year, not dominant with the Marlins in the weak NL.

As I said, Pettitte had a poor first half, whether it was due to injury or just poor performance is besides the point. Things happen. But he rebounded and had a terrific second half. Once he gets stretched out, and gets back on more of a routine (remember he missed time during ST because of back spasms), he should start pitching better. He had a very good year two years ago, and was injured for most of his first year in Houston. But, just because he had a poor first half last year, you should not discount his second half.

With Mussina, you are really jumping to conclusions. He had one poor start, but it wasn't because of his velocity. He had poor command, especially of his fastball, and that is not something that I expect to continue. As previously mentioned in this thread, Moose is a slow starter (with the exception of last year). His velocity will return to the high 80's eventually, especially when the weather gets a bit warmer. You are making a general assessment based on his first start. That's unfair.

As for Pavano, he is capable. Give him a chance. He had a pretty rough past two years. I'm not saying he will return to his previous form, but you never know. As long as he falls somewhere in the middle, and gives the Yankees innings, he will fit in well down at the bottom of the rotation.

[jacksonianmarch]

Mussina couldnt throw his knuckle curve for a strike last night. The good thing was he was missing with it out of the zone. The bad thing was he only could locate his 4 seamer in the zone and they knew it. He was lambasted last night. Warm weather please!

[riverside sluggers]

Originally Posted by Jon_Papelboner

and wakefied got pwned by an over the hill past roid user who didn't even take a full swing. LOL shut the fuck up LOL

Lets see Wakefield went 6 inninings and gave up 2 runs (1 ER), he ended his outing by retiring 11 straight, and 12 out of the last 15. Moose gave up 6 runs in 4 innings, accept that your starter blew the game... again

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by riverside sluggers

Lets see Wakefield went 6 inninings and gave up 2 runs (1 ER), he ended his outing by retiring 11 straight, and 12 out of the last 15. Moose gave up 6 runs in 4 innings, accept that your starter blew the game... again

he did. It happens. Mussina couldnt throw his curveball or change over the plate. When you are a finesse pitcher and the only pitch you can get over is a mid 80s fastball, you will get bombed.

Also, lots of people have been saying the cold is the reason. I'll take that a step further. A power pitcher has the ability to just throw the heat and it hurts to hit it in the cold. Advantage power pitcher. But a finesse pitcher cannot just throw the heat, and what is worse, the cold takes the feel away from the ball and touch pitches like a change or a curve suffer. Hence, in cold weather, power is the way to go. The yankee rotation for now anyway features 5 finesse pitchers. Once CMW returns, we'll have one pitcher with a power arm and if Hughes or Clemens jump on board, we may have more. I expect our pitching to dramatically improve come the trip to Minnesota.