Outbashing the Bombers

As the Twins return to the Metrodome for a three game series with the Bronx Bombers, they are catching the Yankees at a good time. Injuries to key personnel are plaguing the Bombers and potentially the reason they are off to a slow 2-3 start.

An injured hamstring has started the Yankees best pitcher last year (Chien-Ming Wang) on the disabled list. Without his services, the starting rotation of Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Kei Igawa and Darrell Rasner have started the season with a 9.97 ERA in their first five games. The starting rotation is averaging a minuscule 4.1 IP per start. The top half of the rotation who will be facing the Twins during the homestand (Pavano, Pettitte, and Mussina) have thrown 12.1 innings and compiled an ERA of 8.78. In contrast, the Twins starting rotation has thrown 31 innings and has compiled an ERA of 2.61. The three arms that will be facing the Bombers (Ponson, Bonser and Ortiz) have thrown 13 innings (Ponson first start tonight) compiling an ERA of 2.77.

In addition to the pitching woes for the Yankees, starting LF Hideki Matsui was placed on the DL with a hamstring injury. Center fielder Johnny Damon has not started in the field since opening day while nursing a strained right calf, and Captain Derek Jeter fouled a Adam Loewen pitch off his right foot Saturday evening and is dealing with a severe bruise on his middle toe. Even with all these injuries to their starting lineup, the Yankees lead the American League in runs scored with 33 in five games. The Twins in their five games have managed to put only 20 runs (thanks to a lack of offense in frigid Chicago) on the board.

Minnesota's bats will have to be on display as they were last week in the Metrodome where the Twins averaged a little over 5.5 runs per game if they expect to bump off the hot hitting boys from New York.