Defeat the Empire

0.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 6 R, 1 BB, 1 HR.

Hah.

We shouldn't make fun of Al; after all, the Mets don't make the playoffs in 1999 and 2000 without him. But it hurts me to see one of my favorite Mets with the Yankees, and now that he's there, I've got no choice but to root against him.

Al's been decent enough as a Yankee though, I will say that. Even with last night's debacle, he's at 4-4, 5.33 with the Yankees, with the ERA more than a run better than it was in Florida.

Al, I love you as a Met. We went through Game 6 in 1999 and Game 5 in 2000 together. But I hope you crash and burn down the stretch with the rest of the Yankees.

See you in a broadcast booth in 2006, Al!

Mussina Out Indefinitely With Tendinitis

Just when the Yankees think they have their rotation all figured out, Jaret Wright gets hit with a line drive and Mike Mussina gets told by a doctor he might be done for the season.

More and more, it's looking like this just ain't the Yankees year.

An MRI performed by Los Angeles doctor Lewis Yocum revealed tendinitis in Mike Mussina's right elbow, an injury that just might mean he's done for 2005. Mussina was told by Yocum to "rest until it doesn't hurt" (that's one hell of a doctor) and Mussina says he'll obey the doctor's orders.

The MSNBC article on this subject can be found here.

Today's Schedule

Yankees (Small, 5-0, 3.03) @ Athletics (Saarloos, 9-6, 3.98), 4:05 pm

The Yanks look for revenge from last night's 12-0 loss. Aaron Small looks to continue his dream season, and he's opposed by Kirk Saarloos. The way things are shaping up, Small could be the Yanks best starter down the stretch.

Mets (Benson, 9-6, 3.91) @ Marlins (Beckett, 12-8, 3.62), 6:05 pm

The Mets are going through the obligatory losing-streak-after-winning-streak period, dropping 5 of their last 6. Josh Beckett doesn't look to be any easier than Dontrelle Willis was last night, either.

Orioles (Bedard, 6-5, 3.42) @ Red Sox (Clement, 12-3, 4.27), 7:05 pm

Lenny DiNardo did his job last night, going 6 innings with just one earned run, but an error and uncharacteristically quiet Red Sox bats did him in. Matt Clement is no stranger to run support, and Erik Bedard has been struggling lately, so I think the Sox will rebound and post some runs on the board tonight as Clement goes for this 13th win.