1. In today’s Post, I wrote my column on the revelation (blessing?) that Phil Hughes has been as a reliever for the Yankees. It is funny how a season works that Hughes could be the one who comes out of the rotation to be a dominant force in the eighth inning rather than Joba Chamberlain.
In the column, I pointed out that Hughes has de-stressed the clubhouse by replacing the season-opening shaky triumvirate of Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras. But he also de-stressed the atmosphere by eliminating all the talk that Joba needs to be put in the eighth inning to save the Yankee season. Chamberlain may ultimately end up in the pen because his temperament or durability forces him into relief.
JOEL SHERMAN ON TWITTER
But Hughes’ ascension has at least taken away one of the many issues that seem to swirl constantly around Chamberlain — at least for 2009, he has.
2. Chamberlain starts tonight. He will probably only throw four innings. But the Yanks could sure use him to find some consistent success again as a starter as the regular season nears conclusion. Chamberlain is now unlikely to pitch in the first round when he probably will be put in the bullpen as the Yanks need just three starters.
However, he would almost certainly be designated as the Game 4 starter if the Yankees reach the ALCS, and one of the possibilities to be an ALCS opponent is the Angels. And look who the opponent is tonight: The Angels. And now the Angels — with Bobby Abreu being influential in this area — have added some plate patience to go along with their pesky nature (think a ton of foul balls) and speed game (the second most steals in the AL).
All of this could become bedeviling to Chamberlain in building up his pitch count and irritating with a running game. So tonight is a good night for Joba to show that he can live in the strike zone and not be rattled easily. Yes, he still is just 23 and this is his first full season as a starting pitcher in pro ball. But the Yanks are going for a championship. So they need Chamberlain to grow up more than we have seen so far.
3. And here is a reason why they need Chamberlain to mature and be ready for the postseason. Because the Yanks want to give themselves the best possibility of having as many of their starters pitching well for October as possible.
We all know there is a shorthand for the concerns with each Yankee starter for the postseason: CC Sabathia does not have a strong postseason resume. Andy Pettitte will have a lot of wear by then on his 37-year-old arm. A.J. Burnett has this unsettling inconsistency. And Joba, well, we have detailed many of the issues with him.
You might be able to navigate around one problematic starter, as the Yanks did in winning it all in 1996 despite the horrid round-to-round work of Kenny Rogers. But the degree of difficulty climbs and climbs with more rotation malfunctions in the rotation.
