The Yankees and Mets have absolutely nothing in common except for the city they share, until now. As of this past weekend both teams have starters that have been placed on the DL, not aces but starters that could make a difference for their respective clubs. In case you've been living under a rock or need a refresher allow me to break it down. For the pinstripes Phil Hughes was spot on in last years ALDS giving up 4 hits in 7 scoreless innings helping the Yankees sweep the Minnesota Twins and the bronx bombers hoped they'd see more of that this season...we'll they haven't. In 3 games started this year Hughes posted a record of 0-1 with a 13.94 ERA while allowing 16 earned runs. Critics have blamed the velocity or lack there of on Hughes pitches and has elected to head to the DL rather than be demoted to Scranton.
On the other side of town Chris Young is headed to the DL with right bicep tendinitis, arguably the Mets best pitcher this season. In 2 starts he's given up 2 runs on 6 hits in 12 innings (note: I chose not to post Youngs W-L due to the lack of support the rest of the team has given him in his starts, go figure). Now which one of these teams need their injured starter worse? I think this ones cut and dry: the Metropolitans.
The Yankees needed a solid start until Freddy Garcia came to the rescue on saturday pitching an absolute gem in what was a breath of fresh air, not that the starting rotation has been horrible but nobody has showed the domination that Garcia did to this point in the season for the bombers. A.J. Burnett has won all three of his starts this season and although CC's record hasnt show it, he has held down his side of the deal thus far. With Bartolo Colon making his first start since the 09' season in place of Hughes, the Yankees should be alright without him but the Mets have bigger issues.
The "Ace" (and I use that term loosely) for the Mets Mike Pelfrey has averaged 4 innings per start and has given up 18 earned runs this season. Even though the Chris Youngs injury is short term as tendinitis if treated properly is not serious, it could not have come at a worse time. The Mets are losers of 7 of their last 8 games and need a rock in the rotation. Every game started has Mets fans holding their breath and without Young to provide some relief (no pun intended) even more pressure falls on the shoulders of R.A. Dickey who hasn't pitched bad but unless Dickey is going to start 5 days a week for your club, it might be time to start exploring some options with the status of Johan Santanas return changing on a week to week basis.
