As expected, Roger Clemens will get the ball on Friday night against the Mets, Joe Torre confirmed yesterday.
With Clemens going for his 350th victory as the Subway Series resumes, the hype will be in full effect. The only thing missing is Mike Piazza.
Torre already began talking about the next stage of the Rocket’s return yesterday morning before the Yankees’ 13-6 victory over Pittsburgh.
“Well, he’s pitching against a stronger club,” Torre said. “But again, hopefully he’ll have a stronger outing, too.
“The thing about Roger, Roger is going to be good against anybody because, first off, his experience. He makes up his mind who he’s going to pitch to and who he’s not going to pitch to. He’s very aware of everything that goes on, more so than a lot of other pitchers.
“Just the fact that he has this one under his belt will be a big help for him. I don’t think he’ll be all the way back yet. He’ll still have to make good pitches, because the Mets will let you know about it if you don’t.”
After watching Clemens first-hand for the first time this season, Torre said the veteran’s velocity should improve. Torre said the 44-year-old righty is willing to make concessions to age. Although Clemens struck out seven on Saturday, Torre thinks he pitches to contact more and doesn’t always go for the big K.
“He doesn’t really waste much out there,” Torre said.
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When the Yankees were struggling, first base coach Tony Pena bet the players he’d shave his moustache if they could mount a five-game win streak. It seemed improbable a few weeks back, but the players held down Pena in the clubhouse bathroom after Saturday’s 9-3 victory and did the deed.
“Everybody got a piece,” Pena joked.
The last time Pena went naked above his top lip, he was playing for the Cardinals in 1987. St. Louis went to the World Series that year.
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After going four straight games without scoring more than three runs, the Yankees have scored five or more runs in 10 of 11 games. They’ve won 17 of the last 18 interleague series they’ve played at Yankee Stadium.
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GM Brian Cashman doesn’t anticipate adding a first baseman in the near-term, and Torre said he has been satisfied with Miguel Cairo and Josh Phelps.
“Unless I come up with something different, Joe will make the choice from what we have on the roster right now,” Cashman said, adding, “I’m always looking to improve the club.”
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Jorge Posada was given the day off, and Wil Nieves managed an RBI single in the seventh to raise his season average to .132.