There are signs everywhere, like the flowers bursting through in the springtime warmth, that the Yankees are beginning to heat up, starting to blossom.
Batting averages are slowly but steadily creeping higher. The column marked for wins is gaining at a much greater frequency than the one designated for losses. The first earmark the Yankees almost always attain sooner rather than later – a record 10 games above .500 – was secured with a perfect 6-0 road trip.
No doubt, the Yankees are starting to look like the Yankees, and the resemblance is most striking in the way they’ve pitched. For all the bells and whistles concerning the marquee addition of Jason Giambi or the quandaries over the slow starts of hitters such as Rondell White and Nick Johnson, what has separated the Yankees from most of the competition, as usual, is the depth and breadth of their pitching staff.
As the Yankees last night returned home to face the Devil Rays for the start of a nine-game homestand, it remained difficult to imagine a prolonged losing streak, certainly not now, probably not ever. Roger Clemens, last night’s starter, came in with a 5-2 record, one of three pitchers (Mike Mussina and David Wells are the others) to already achieve five wins this season. Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez is right behind with four wins and leads the AL with an ERA of 2.13.
The bullpen, after experiencing its share of slight struggles, is on track, with no earned runs allowed on the recently-completed road trip. The pen allowed only nine hits in its last 12 innings and Mariano Rivera, who has shown some tiny chinks in his armor, saved four games in five days on the trip.
Once again, the Yankees are winning because they’re pitching better than the opposition. They entered last night’s game first in the American League in strikeouts, second in runs allowed and ERA. Even with Andy Pettitte sidelined indefinitely with a troublesome left elbow, the starting rotation is perhaps the strongest and deepest in baseball, and it makes up for any discernible weaknesses that may arise.
“You never have too much of it,” Joe Torre said last night. “Every manager has the same lament. So many things happen. The thing about our sport, somebody gets hurt and the games continue, so you lose a lot of games while you’re trying to get well. It’s nice to have the depth we have and hopefully we can keep the rest of ’em healthy.”
This sure looks like a time for the Yankees to fatten up even more than they recently have. Even though Tampa Bay came in with two consecutive wins, this is a team that lost 15 straight and simply can’t match up, especially with the Yankees. After three games with the Devil Rays, next up at Yankee Stadium are three-game series with the Twins and Blue Jays before a May 23 trip to Boston for a four-game series with the rival Red Sox. By then, the three-game AL East lead the Red Sox held going into last night’s action could be erased.
Clemens last night was gunning for his third victory this season over the Devil Rays, which is something like taking candy from a baby. With 285 career wins, Clemens continues to move up the charts. He entered last night’s game tied with Tony Mullane (who pitched from 1881-94) for 24th on the all-time list. At his current pace, Clemens will attain the magical 300-win mark late this season.
“I know it means a great deal to him, it’s what keeps him young, keeps him excited, and the fact he plays here makes it that much better,” Torre said. “He certainly is very much aware of everything he’s accomplishing.”
Armed and Dangerous
Name W-L Strikeouts ERA
Roger Clemens 5-2 51 4.08
Mike Mussina 5-2 49 3.72
Orlando Hernandez 4-1 42 2.13