IF you watched the game last night you know a lot more than the box score.

First the box score. Yanks won 2-0.  Igawa went 5 innings, no runs two hits, 3 walks, 65 pitches.

Sounds great, but hold on.  The wind was blowing in as it often does there.  It was really strong. At least one ball was a home run on 98% of the big league regular season games.  The wind may have saved him a couple of other times.

3 walks is still too many.  In addition he had periods where he struggled.  He lost the release point and threw some awful looking pitches, way way off target.  When he was behind he seemed to tense up and then had further problems.  It was not a great performance.

It was good enough to keep him in the opening rotation.  I have 3 reasons for believing this.

First, Pavano has not pushed himself ahead of Igawa.

Second, I heard Torre quoted as wanting the second lefthanded starter.  To me this is a key.  I expect the rotation to be Wang, Pettitte, Moose, Igawa, then Pavano when the schedule makes Joe use 5.  Karstens will make the club in long releif and be the spot starter.

Third,  Joe likes the experience pitchers (all players actually) and the Yankees have enough investment in Igawa and Pavano that they will be forced to prove they cannot do it before they get removed.

So, we will see Igawa pitch in the show.  He is struggling with his confidence.  I hope he does well enough to hear some New York cheers.  He clearly can have nerve problems at this point.  I have the feeling he can establish himself over the season to be a solid Big League performer.  We only need him to be an adequate number four.  If he can go a couple games over 500 and pitch us 150 innings he'll help the team.