tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Mo & CC Least Of Yanks Worries

Over the past weekend, the New York dailies and Yankee fans have been wringing their hands over the latest pitching performances by Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia. Take a chill pill, please!! With respect to Mariano, for the last several years we have seen Rivera go through a couple of rough outings and then he bounces back to his old dominating self again. If every time a closer went out their in the 9th inning and it was automatic why even play the inning?? As Yankee fans we have been spoiled by the most effective closer in modern time. But to expect him to be perfect every time is totally ridiculous. Yesterday I was watching the Pirates-Brewers game and the Pirates brought their All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan in to get a 4 out save. The Pittsburgh broadcast team was very confident. But Ryan Braun tied the game off Hanrahan and the Brewers went on to the win the game in extra innings. Now, am I comparing Hanrahan with the great Rivera?? No, but I'm sure today Pirate fans aren't questioning whether this is it for their closer.

Sabathia has had two rough outings, the latest being Friday night when he gave up 5 solo home runs to the Tampa Bay Rays. The sky was definitely falling now. But interestingly enough, two other aces got pounded Saturday, Jered Weaver and Josh Beckett. Should Angel and Red Sox fans be ready to jump off the bandwagon??? Hardly. While I am concerned about CC's stats against the Red Sox, the 5 solo home runs was one game. I do believe that Girardi made a mistake by giving Sabathia an extra day's rest. Pitchers like a steady routine and CC hinted that the extra day did throw off his schedule.

The Yankees have other concerns besides Rivera and Sabathia. As a fan, I'm more worried about AJ Burnett and management's undying loyalty to him, the DH spot in the lineup, who will be the number two starter in the playoffs and can they beat the Red Sox.