Chamberlain pitched a solid eight innings, and although he received a bit of a scare in  the ninth as he watched Brian Bruney give up two runs, he still came out with the 6-2 win, his seventh of the season.  He was dominant at times, allowing only three hits to the Rays batters, while striking out five.  That was enough to earn him “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Wednesday, July 29th, 2009.

With each of the other four teams in the division sporting a sub .500 record in their last ten games, the Yankees have taken advantage by going 8-2.  That has them looking like a strong bet to finish on top of baseball’s toughest division.  With their starting rotation seemingly in top form at this point and the bats producing, the Bronx Bombers may be on track for their twenty-seventh World Championship.

Total Pro Sports – Joba Chamberlain was determined not to let his past miseries at Progressive Field repeat themselves last night.  He was on the mound to start for the Yankees last night and those Lake Erie insects were back to feast on his sweet sweat.  Only problem was Joba didn’t let it get to him this time, pitching eight solid innings and allowing only two runs in the 5-2 Yanks win over the Indians.

Not only did Joba do a brilliant job pitching with the bugs swarming, but he was even able to see around them on a Kelly Shoppach bunt popup.  Once he spotted it, he made an incredible diving catch for it, laying his body out to make the play and taking a face full of grass in the process.  He was even able to get up and record the force out at second for the double play.

While Joba’s reaction was one of intensity, the dugout saw things a littel different:

“I looked over and (Andy Pettitte) was horse-laughing.  That’s the last thing I needed. I’m trying to get another out, there’s two outs. I looked over and that was the first thing I saw. He’s just probably mad because he’s not that athletic.” [ESPN]

It must have felt good for the large Yankee pitcher to redeem himself in such a manner at the home of the tribe after the horror of 2007.  That should help keep Yankee fans from killing each other.  This time Joba was able to stave off the bugs, and he likely killed a few thousand when he hit the ground making that great diving grab.  I could have sworn I still saw his body implanted in the field during the 8th inning.

Here is the thing with Chamberlain (and I don’t blame him for this), the Yankees seem to really baby this kid. Last year he started off in the bullpen, then about mid season they started stretching him out (during live MLB games might I add), and put him in the starting rotation. These actions, as unique as they may be , were all part of a plan that was conjured up during last years spring training. The ” Joba Rules ” as they were later dubbed, were designed to protect young Joba from injury by limiting his innings and pitch counts. I didn’t necessarily agree with the plan, but I understood the desire to protect this young arm (Francisco Liriano anyone?). The plan didn’t work too well however, as Joba missed the end of last season with an injured right shoulder (if I remember correctly).

Joba has what I consider to be a violent delivery. History in baseball shows us that once a player (especially pitchers) it seems to become a recurring problem. This has lead to the Yankees to state a couple of things in this spring training so far. First Joba is slated to be the fifth starter (must be nice to be the Yankees). Secondly, and this is the thing that is driving me nuts, they have stated that Joba will be limited to five or six innings per start. Over the course of a season, barring injury, will probably put him in the 150 to 180 innings pitched range. My question is this: when do they take the kid gloves off this guy?

Getting back to my opening paragraph, the huge debate among fans seems to be whether or not this kid should be a starter or reliever. Really? Is this really even a legitimate question? Given the way the Yankees limit this kid, the way they limit his pitch counts and innings, isn’t the solution obvious? He belongs as the eighth inning guy. Not only do the Yankees have a wealth of studs in the rotation, making Chamberlain a serious luxury, he has had most of his success as the set up guy to Mariano Rivera. The Yankees have plenty of guys to throw in that fifth spot (Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy), and the bullpen is much stronger with Joba than without him. Not to mention ( and I know we say this every year ) how many more years does Mo have on that arm? When Mo retires you can slide Joba right into the closers role. It’s a no brainer to me.

That’s the situation people. On another team I can understand wanting this guy as a starter, he has ace kind of stuff. The Yankees are not any other team. I don’t have a problem with him starting , but if that’s the route they are going to take with him, then stop the coddling and let him pitch! How long are they going to continue babying this guy? Like I said, if the babying is out of concern for his durability, then the answer is clear, put him in the pen and ensure yourself a spot in October.