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

There’s No Doubt: Hughes Belongs In The Rotation

Yesterday I finally was able to get a TV hooked up outside so I could enjoy a summer night while watching sports, particularly Yankee Baseball. It couldn't have been a better night!!! Comfortable evening, a cold drink, a nice cigar and a pitching gem from Phil Hughes. Hughes was in total command last night, going into the 8th inning and allowing only 2 hits. It was the Phil Hughes that made him an All-Star last year. It's Phil Hughes who deserves to be in the rotation and be on the mound during the month of October.

It's becoming clearer to me that the Yankees October chances will hinge on CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova. Bartolo Colon has hit the wall. He could help the Yanks by being put in the bullpen and being available for long relief if necessary, particularly since we know that AJ Burnett will pitch in a playoff series. Freddy Garcia, while doing a good job for the Yanks this season, is not the type of pitcher who can be successful in October. He's a number 5 starter and in the playoffs you don't need a number 5.

If the Yanks go with Nova and Hughes in October, regardless of whether they win or lose, it will be a success. The degree of success will be based on their performance. But for the future, playoff experience will be invaluable. In the end, it's not about this season. It's about setting up for another era of Yankee dominance. With Hughes and Nova, the Yankees will have the building blocks to establish another strong core as we await the coming of the kids in Scranton and Trenton.