Chaotic Chamberlain Collapse Crushes Champs

This is my 600th blog post. It will be a round-up of---who other than the New York Yankees. Unfortunately for me, the Yankees lost to the Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle last night. New York tried unsuccessfully to trade for Cliff Lee on Friday afternoon. The Yankees’ starting pitching isn’t the problem. Joe Girardi’s defending champions could have used an eighth inning set-up man last night as Joba Chamberlain gave up a grand slam and a 1-0 lead out of the bullpen. Chamberlain’s disastrous outing wasted a brilliant and scoreless effort from Javier Vasquez and snapped New York’s seven game winning streak.
The Yankees have struggled to score runs in support of Vasquez and last night was more of the same. New York ‘s only tally came in the top of the third off Seattle seven-gamew inning ace, Felix Hernandez. Newly-appointed All-Star, Nick Swisher, smacked his 15th homerun of the year, a solo shot off the 24 year old. Vazquez carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out seven Mariners on the evening. Ichiro Suzuki was first to crack through with an infield single in the sixth. The Yankee hurler got out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh and exited the game with just three hits allowed and a pair of walks. Chamberlain was summoned in relief during the eighth inning and yielded two singles to start the frame. Chamberlain’s wild pitch allowed Suzuki to advance to third base and Chone Figgins to take second. Russell Branyan was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out in the eighth before Chamberlain fell behind in the count to Seattle slugger, Jose Lopez. Lopez drilled the next pitch into the left field seats for a grand slam and 4-1 Mariners edge. The debacle of an inning marked the fourth time this season Chamberlain has given up at least three runs in a frame.
Hernandez finished the game for the home team for his second complete game in eleven days against New York. The Yankees plated pinch-hitter Jorge Posada with one out in the top of the ninth. Posada represented the tying run after Curtis Granderson doubled and Derek Jeter reached safely on an infield single. The Yankee catcher was fanned on a questionable high third strike call for the second out. Brett Gardner ended New York’s threat and the game by striking out looking. Just like that Seattle ended a five game losing skid. Chamberlain took the loss, his first of the season as the Yankees fell for just the 32nd time. The Mariners improved to 35-52, good for last place in the AL West. Today is the last game before the MLB All-Star break. C.C. Sabathia takes the hill for New York against Seattle’s Ryan Rowland-Smith. Sabathia, an All-star, tries to become the league’s second 12-game winner at 4:05 this afternoon.
Parting Points: As always, I’m looking forward to the All-Star game.

Cliff Lee was roughed up in his Texas debut.

Casting Chamberlain

The drama of Joba Chamberlain is already starting to unfold and unravel in the Yankee theater. Joba will probably take the stage and begin his 2009 campaign as a designated starting pitcher. The great debate is whether Chamberlain should be used solely as a starter or pulled purposely from the pen.
The Yankee rotation is a good one. The Bombers resigned veteran lefty, Andy Pettitte, and added two bonifide performers in C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Last season’s ace, Chien-Ming Wang, returns to the rotation in a lesser role as a healed hauler. The health of the staff is going to be the main question in ultimately deciding if Chamberlain is chained to start games. I think with Joba as the fourth starter, ahead of Pettitte, the Yankees have a solidified backend rotation. Andy as the fifth starter only makes him better. Chamberlain’s presence and move to the starting front would take pressure off Pettitte to perform at high levels. He fumbled down the stretch in 2008, but now the focus will be shifted to the big three and the evolution of Joba. Chamberlain will evolve as long as he keeps a consistent schedule and can contain his emotions on the mound. He is equipped to be a starter but his emotional makeup as a reliever concerns many fans. He was so successful in the role of reliever fans wonder why Brian Cashman would mess with what works. But Joba has all the goods to deliver a variety of quality starting stuff.
Phil Hughes is coming off a mediocre first season in which the expectations failed to produce a lock in the starring role. Hughes is efficient and can be a go-to arm every fifth game but he also could use some time to work out the kinks in his mechanics. Meanwhile, Joba would have the chance to prove himself and show us more. The Yankees will know quickly if moving Joba into the rotation or back to the bullpen is the right choice. Hughes or Alfredo Aceves could replace him in the rotation if the choice to keep him as a reliever is made.
It’s true Joba would ensure a dynamic duo if given the opportunity to be the 8th inning pitcher. Mariano Rivera remains the team closer, but he is coming off shoulder surgery. Number 42 could start slow coming out this Spring and Chamberlain could help close games early in the season. However, that role would mean Joba using only two pitches. If the Yankees relegated the righty to a starting position, he would need to mix in malicious alternatives. I would hate to miss out on seeing Joba work the count on hitters with his devastating curve and cool changeup.
The good part about the Yankees being somewhat undecided (even though Cashman told Joba and insists he will start) is they have enough pitching to be flexible and have a trial and error period. However, the organization cannot hesitate or wait it out too long to decide the fate of Joba. One way or another, Joba deserves an convincing answer. He commands respect in either role because of his ability and resourcefulness as a pitcher. It is likely one of the current pegged starting pitchers will suffer an ailment at some point in 2009. That is just the nature of the long baseball year. A guaranteed Joba would grant a gifted gamer and shutdown solution against opponents. The bullpen is weaker without Joba but the starting rotation also suffers without his talent on display. He is built to start and accustomed to being in there. Imagine opposing teams with the fear factor instilled before the first pitch is thrown instead of the final inning leading up to his entrance.

Parting points: The Devils are still on a roll in hockey land. I see few weaknesses in this team but they are probably going to let me down come playoff time anyway.