"Now, what is this site about, how Joe Torre ruined pitchers' arms? Is that it?"
-Michael Kay, August 18, 2009

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Play to win tonight

Now that I've had time to digest yesterday's loss, I'll give Joe Torre a pass. He wasn't really expecting Kei Igawa to start, let alone throw five shutout innings. Yes, he allowed Edwar Ramirez and Brian Bruney to stay in the game too long. Yes, he shouldn't have allowed Jeff Karstens to pitch in the 10th innings. Yes, he shouldn't have held a bullpen tryout while the Wild Card race hasn't been decided.

But I'm over it.

It's not his fault that that's what he has left in the bullpen.

Yankee fans were too quick to think that they could win the division. There is no shame in winning the Wild Card, and that's the path the Yankees are headed down. With five games remaining, Boston has a minuscule magic number of three to clinch the East. Meanwhile, the Yankees' magic number to clinch the Wild Card is at one.

If they win tonight, they can rest some of their hurting regulars and figure out who will be valuable out of the bullpen in the playoffs during the final four games.

That being said, the Yankees must play to win tonight. Ace Chien-Ming Wang is on the hill. If he has the lead after seven innings, go straight to Joba Chamberlain. If Wang is struggling in the sixth, go to Chamberlain. If Mariano Rivera has to pitch more than one inning, don't hesitate.

There is time to rest everyone after tonight. Just win the game and look to next week.

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