KANSAS CITY -- It will take a lot more than a rocky outing or two to convince Mariano Rivera that the Yankees have any issues to address in their bullpen. In the closer's eyes, this year's relief mix projects to be one of the better ones in recent seasons.
Through six games, New York's relievers have had some significant highs and lows. Opening Day didn't go so well, as four hurlers allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings, and neither did Sunday's series finale in Kansas City, where Jose Veras and Phil Coke allowed a one-run lead to squirt away.
But it is the positive moments that Rivera chooses to reflect on. In the four games between those two "blips," as manager Joe Girardi called them, Yankees relievers combined to allow two hits and one earned run in 11 1/3 innings, recording 13 strikeouts with only four walks.
"They have what it takes," Rivera said. "They have to believe it. It's one thing to have it and another thing to believe it. They definitely have it, and they are capable to do that job. You just have to believe it."
After Sunday's meltdown, Joba Chamberlain said that the bullpen would be fine, coming back out against Tampa Bay on Monday and ready to go to work. Rivera said that he is confident that his setup men, Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte, will get the ball to him on a consistent basis.
"You can tell how they've been growing, especially Bruney, how he's been taking care of himself," Rivera said. "He dropped so many pounds. That's a sign that he wants to be different, wants to do better. That told me something."
At 39, Rivera is not only the elder statesman of the Yankees, but a trusted clubhouse voice. Younger pitchers congregate near his locker on a daily basis to soak up whatever pearls of wisdom Rivera might drop.
"I think the big key is that they're receptive to his leadership," Girardi said. "He commands so much respect. The big thing about Mo is that Mo is going to encourage you. He's not an in-your-face guy, he's an embracer, and I think that's why he's been so successful."
But Rivera can also mix in with the guys. Oftentimes, that involves joining the relievers in their season-long game of chasing poor Edwar "Flacco" Ramirez around the clubhouse.
"That's how the bullpen succeeds. There's no ego in there," Rivera said. "We all pull for each other and whoever's on the mound; we're all pulling for that person. We all do whatever we can say or do to help our teammates. That's what separates bullpens."
Pitching matchup
NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-1, 17.18 ERA)
Making his first start since a season-ending injury last June, Wang was rapped for seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings by the Orioles in his 2009 debut on Wednesday. He struggled with command of his sinker, leaving after a Nick Markakis home run. Wang said that his body was moving ahead of his right arm, which has been lagging behind on pitches -- an issue he also battled during the spring. Though it has carried into the regular season, Wang remains confident it will be addressed. He is 7-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 13 career starts against Tampa Bay, including a 1-0 record with a 0.69 ERA in two starts last season.
TB: LHP Scott Kazmir (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
The left-hander enjoyed a nice spring that saw him find his slider while locking in his mechanics. He built on those results in his first start of the season Wednesday night at Fenway Park, where he threw 111 pitches in six innings against the Red Sox, allowing just one run on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts to pick up his first win of the season. Kazmir is 21-14 with a 3.11 ERA in 60 career starts at Tropicana Field. He is 4-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Yankees; last season, he went 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA in three starts against New York.
Tidbits
Mark Teixeira is not expected to start for New York on Monday due to tendinitis in his left wrist, though he is an option off the bench as a pinch-hitter. ... Nick Swisher extended his hitting streak to five games on Sunday, batting .400 (8-for-20) over that span. ... After recording four strikeouts in their first two games, Yankees pitchers have registered 36 over their last four. ... Robinson Cano is hitting .409 (9-for-22) through six games and has drawn four walks. Last season, his first walk came in his 10th game, and he didn't register his fourth walk until his 21st. ... Alex Rodriguez will begin his rehab on Monday at the Yankees' facility in Tampa, Fla., and he is expected to join the team to watch the game at Tropicana Field. A-Rod is returning from March 9 right hip surgery and has been projected to return to the Yankees' lineup by May 15.
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Originally Posted by missionhockey21
But in reality, I see the Rays taking 2 of 3. Longoria is the hottest hitter in the AL and I like the pitching matchups but it could easily go the other way. Should eb a fun series to watch.
