Starting pitching might not be something Yankee fans want to spend very much time thinking about right now, but there’s a lot to discuss on that front tonight. First of all, Andy Pettitte threw a bullpen session today and reported that he felt good about it, so hopefully that’s a signal that he’ll be back in time to get some outings under his belt before the playoffs start. Also, the Yankees announced earlier that, after a strong relief outing last night, Javier Vazquez will move back to the rotation, taking the start Saturday and bumping Dustin Moseley. And last, but certainly not least, with some people reporting that he was pitching for his job, A.J. Burnett reminded us that “inconsistent” is not exactly the same as bad. He wasn’t dominant by any stretch, but he was very solid; striking out 8 while walking 2 and allowing 6 hits and 3 runs (all earned) in 6 innings. It was a quality start in the books and, obviously, gave the team a great chance to win. Hopefully he’ll respond to the changing of the calendar the same way he did after his last awful month.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready to stop worrying about the starting pitching, but today was a very good day, and things are definitely looking up.
My question is what happens if Ivan Super Nova is dominant in his next 3 starts, and Pettitte is ready to return in mid September? You obviously need to get Pettitte back in there but then do you keep Nova in and rest Hughes (due to his innings limit) or do you maybe give the boot to Vazquez or Burnett if they struggle the next few times out?
In the wake of the Dibble news (Dibble HATES the QS stat, amongst others), coupled with Brien's "quality start" reference here, I am down from on high to proclaim:
"Quality Starts" is no longer a stat that we will reference at IIATMS
A 4.50 ERA over 6 IP is not "quality'. If we can't change the name from QS to "Average Start", then we're not gonna use it. So it is written, so it is done.
AJ was better than I think his numbers actually looked last night, but he did keep the team in the game and got the W, which is lightyears ahead of his recent performance.
Jason, I'm not a fan of the "quality start" stat either, which is why I put the "in the books" qualifer.
Dissenting opinion: from my point of view (courtesy of ESPN's Wednesday night baseball), the A's were swinging at a LOT of pitches outside of the zone, and not just against A.J. Also, A.J. got the benefit of one or two close calls involving line drives just the wrong side of the foul pole. We were lucky to win last night, and A.J. was at best inconsistent. Against a more patient team, A.J. might have been lit up.
I realize there are questions, but I like the upside. The Yanks have the best record in baseball, and have had this for a while. I think there has been a cruise control mentality for a bit in August. I am encouraged that the first part of Sept we are seeing the positive signs of the arms.
I would ride Nova, and take the chance of him getting a playoff game. Not many teams have seen his stuff, and that might be to his advantage.
Burnett just needs one more Tat and he will be ready to roll!
Any start inwhich AJ holds the team to under 6 runs, and lasts over 5 innings, HAS to qualify as a Quality Start.
If he pitches the rest of the season the way he did last night, I’ll be very happy. (and more than a bit surprised)