Despite the myriad possible complaints a Yankee fan can have during the past month: an inconsistent offense, Little League quality defense, etc., poor starting pitching isn't one of them. And most recently Giese and Pettite have shown that fans shouldn't think of the Yankees' staff as over the hill (think Mussina and Pettite) or inexperienced (think Chamberlain, Rasner, Giese), but, instead as venerable and phenomenal.

    Giese's start yesterday, marred only by a Rivera like errant throw to second and the consequent unearned runs that wouldn't have occurred, shows that he has the capacity to hold down a Major League offense. The only things causing worry are his defense, although the error have been a one time deal, and the fact that the Reds don't exactly have the most fearsome offense (they are 11th in the NL in runs scored with 4.34 runs per game.

    Today Andy Pettite reminded the baseball world why he was the Yankee staff's "stopper" of last decade's dynasty as he ended a momentum killing, two game skid. He give up only four hits over six scoreless innings earning his latest win of a three start streak. After Pettite's dominant last three starts it appears as though he has finally hit mid-season form after a gruesome ten hit, ten run performance that the Yankees surprisingly stole from the Royals 12-11 thanks in part to Damon's brilliant 6-6 showing. Did I mention Pettite has a current 19 inning scoreless streak? Can you say Chien-Ming WHO?

Pettite's Last Four Games:

          Date               Opp         W  L       ERA SV I    Inn.      H    ER  BB K

From http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=120485

    And after Giambi's 3-3, 2RBI, 2Run game it appears as though his golden thong may indeed be a gift from King Midas of Greek Mythology; for everything the God touches, including Giambi's thong and therefore the Giambino and his bat, turns to pure gold. The mustached slugger raised his average to a very respectable, and a bit surprising .271. A very unlikely figure after a brief, three game, 0-11 streak. And keeping with the Mythology references (much to the dismay of the readers), Giambi, along with his miracle thong, must have received Hermes', the swift-footed messenger, winged footwear. Because I'm not sure since I blinked, but, was that Giambi or Henderson stealing 2nd? O.K. I'm obviously joking but he sure did have a (Homerian) epic game today!

    I'm sorry to all to read this post and I promise to never make such obscure, awkward references again. Ever. Again, I'm Sorry...

From: http://yankeebible.blogspot.com