Every year Mariano Rivera goes through a stretch for a couple of weeks that proves to the baseball community that he is not always automatic in save situations. Also that he is indeed human. In years past that time seemed to surface in late July and early August. Last year, because of his voluntary winter hiatus, that humanizing time was displayed in the very beginning of the season. Attribute that to building up arm strength after several months of not throwing.
What happened to Mariano last night and was evident two weeks ago against Toronto is a natural progression of events for Mariano. His velocity is just slightly off and his pitches were low in the strike zone. Just where power hitters love to drop the head of their bat and make solid contact with that pitch. Although the pitch that Vernon Wells hit off Mariano was belt high, the velocity was not vintage Mariano allowing Wells to get around and make solid contact.
He still will get out most hitters with his stuff but because of his location and velocity he is susceptible to some solid hits by the power and contact hitters. Once Mariano keeps that cutter up, belt high or higher and gets another mile or two per hour on his velocity, he will be that automatic closer we have been spoiled with for ten plus years. It will happen. It always does. He is human and it is August. Right on target.
Rivera is as close as you can get to an almost certainty if you're wanting a win. But as you say there'll always be a time when things won't be in his favor. That being said without him the Yankees would've suffered this season and in season's past. Other than Chien Ming Wan and Mussina the Yankees' pitching roster has been inconsistent. You never know what you're going to get out of Randy Johnson from one day to the next and the Yankees are still on the hook for him for the next 3 years. What with him, Pavano and Wright they've got a tri-fecta of overpaid flamers.
Tophat--Randy Johnson has only 1 year left (next season) on his 3 year deal.
Jaret Wright may be overpaid but he is pitching consistently well enough to keep the Yankees in most games.
Carl Pavano has been hurt for over a year and a half so it's really not fair to judge him. Anyone earning a check and not playing is overpaid. However judge him next season when he is fully healthy for the first time since coming to NY.
With very few exception pitching staffs around the league are very inconsistent after their top 2 guys. Less than a handful of teams can go 3 deep in the rotation.
For all your critiques of the Yankees you never mention they have the 2nd best record in baseball and are getting healthier by the week. Dotel, Pavamo, Matsui and Sheffield may still yet be contributors this year.
rivjo Isn't there an option for a further 2 years with Johnson or perhaps I'm wong? . With that being said it's hard for any team to go three deep in their pitching. The White Sox reminded us of that last year.
Wright and Pavano will however have to prove to the Yankees that their faith in them will be repaid especially if they're to make it in the post season.
Last edited by tophatal on August 9th at 11:23 PM.
