March 24, 2007

ONE TRIES NOT TO LAUGH:

Pavano could go Opening Day (Bryan Hoch, 3/24/07, MLB.com)

The Yankees learned Saturday that their Opening Day starter won't be Chien-Ming Wang, who will miss most of the season's first month with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring.

Because of the way the rotation aligns for the season opener, it won't be Andy Pettitte or Mike Mussina, either. Manager Joe Torre said that the Yankees will select from a group including Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa and Jeff Karstens to throw the season's first pitch on April 2.

Of those three -- unbelievable as it might seem -- Pavano has become the likely favorite.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 24, 2007 7:00 PM
Comments

Yes, and the funny thing is, it doesn't really even matter. The Yanks are just too good.

Meanwhile, probably the best Sawx starting pitcher has wimped out (or was it the bum shoulder) for the role of closer, which should be left to the Joe Borowskis of the world.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at March 24, 2007 7:34 PM

On a team where four starters who'd open for the Yankees won't even be in the rotation (Lester, Gabbard, Snyder & Hansack) and three who will be peers of Phil Hughes are just a year away, Papelbon could see the writing on the wall. His best shot at a major league paycheck is the easiest job.

Posted by: oj at March 24, 2007 8:08 PM

None of the guys you mentioned would even break the Yanks AAA starting staff.

And none, with the possible exception of Lester, and maybe Bucholz, and then only b/c they're lefties, will make it in the majors.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at March 24, 2007 8:49 PM

With Hughes and Igawa heading it, after the Yankees handled them so ineptly this Spring, the AAA team should have a decent rotation.

Posted by: oj at March 24, 2007 8:54 PM

The scroll on the top of Earthlink said "Yankee's Wang put on disabled and will miss opening day." Ouch!

Posted by: Rick T. at March 25, 2007 9:37 AM

Another year of peeing matches between OJ and Jim. Hurrah.

Yankees will win the division and Boston will miss the playoffs. Wildcard from the Central.

Posted by: Bob at March 25, 2007 1:36 PM
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